Former candidate to seek Congressional seat again

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April 10, 2008

By JOE LoTEMPLIO The Press Republican Thu Apr 10, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH -- A former congressional candidate is making another run at it this year.

Danny M. Francis of Watertown is seeking the 23rd Congressional District seat as a Democrat.

Francis, 66, will be taking on incumbent Republican John McHugh.

"I think Mr. McHugh is doing a lousy job, and the Democrats are going to win big this year, and we need someone in the majority up here, and now is the opportunity to do it," Francis said Wednesday.

Francis ran against McHugh in 1994 but lost decisively.

A retired Marine officer, Francis served on active duty for 20 years, including two tours of combat duty in Vietnam.

He also served in Korea, Japan and at Fort Drum in Watertown.

Francis was a Department of Defense civilian employee until his retirement in 2006.

He earned a master's degree in education from the University of Southern California, a bachelor's degree from Albany State and three associate's degrees.

Francis says that with his extensive military background, he brings a strong national-defense resume into the election.

He has written extensively on defense and political matters as they relate to public policy and the armed forces.

Francis has also taught grades 7 through 12 and is a certified college instructor.

In 2004, he wrote "Last Ride Home: A Memoir of the Vietnam War," published by American Book Publishing of Salt Lake City, Utah.

Francis says McHugh supports torture of enemy combatants, which he opposes.

"I was interrogated myself, so I know a little about this, and I find this astonishing," Francis said.

McHugh's campaign spokesman, John Sweeney, said the congressman has every intention of seeking re-election.

"He will make his announcement that he is running at the appropriate time, and he will outline his accomplishments and priorities at that time," Sweeney said.

McHugh, 59, was first elected to Congress in 1992.

He is in line to attain a high-ranking position on the House Armed Services Committee.

The 23rd Congressional District stretches from Lake Champlain in the east to Lake Ontario in the west. It covers 11 counties and is the largest geographical district east of the Mississippi River.

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com