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Firefighter Turns Up Heat In Congress Bid

By HEATHER HADDON

On many weekday mornings and evenings, local commuters might see a tall, muscular man handing out campaign fliers and gathering petition signatures at subway stations. And while not a recognizable name yet, Kevin McAdams, a candidate for Congress, manages to get bleary-eyed commuters to stop and talk to him.

"It's almost funny how well people receive him," said Andrew Hysell, McAdams' 
campaign manager for his bid in the 17th District. "Most [politicians] don't have that personal charisma."

It will take more than charm to upset eight-term incumbent Eliot Engel. But with a newly redrawn district that extends far north of the Bronx, the Yonkers native is not a total dark horse.

The 32-year-old political novice has about two months to gain name recognition before the Sept. 14 primary. While his opponent's 16-year tenure may be formidable, McAdams seeks to use Engel's incumbency against him. "With that [amount of time] comes a relaxed feeling," he said. "He's not done enough to be at the forefront of things."

Engel, while taking the race seriously, dismissed those charges. "I think he has quite a nerve," said Engel, 57. "I've never heard of him. He's the first candidate to run against me that has had zero community involvement."

McAdams traces his run back to 2002 when he went to Congress to lobby for additional funds for city rescue workers. A firefighter since 1996, McAdams left his honeymoon early to volunteer at Ground Zero after Sept. 11. Over 50 of his friends from the Fire Department were killed.

McAdams charges that despite responses from other local officials, Engel never met with his group --  the Board of the New York City Uniformed Firefighters union. Frustrated by the experience, McAdams and his wife, who is a lawyer, plotted his run. "My entire life has been about going out and trying to help and serve people," he said. "I've kind of grown into this position."

While Engel spokesperson Joe O'Brien did not have specific information about the 
lobbying visit, he did say that the congressman meets with firefighters regularly. 

Most recently, McAdams served as the treasurer for Uniformed Firefighters Local 94, a position he stepped down from in March. He has endorsements from his local and the International Association of Firefighters, along with ironworkers and carpenters locals.  

While still a firefighter based in Manhattan, McAdams took vacation time for his campaign. He and his staff, which includes four paid members and a group of volunteers, have been pounding the pavement for signatures in all parts of the district --  which includes Bedford Park and Norwood, along with large stretches of Westchester and Rockland counties. McAdams says he has over 9,000 names of those who are frustrated, or want a change, from the incumbent. "The Bronx is still upset with Engel," he said. 

Engel narrowly survived a tough primary battle in 2000 against current Council Member Larry Seabrook. On the campaign trail, McAdams says he encounters lingering resentment over the victory, and bitterness that Engel closed his Wakefield district office on 233rd Street after the race. "They took it personally," he said.

Paul Thomas, chief-of-staff for Assemblyman Carl Heastie of Wakefield, confirmed that sentiment. "The community is upset," Thomas said. "Some people
 . . . don't have access to their congressman."

Engel said he closed the office because he needed an office in Rockland County after redistricting. "The way to do that most efficiently was to have one in each of the three counties," he said. The Westchester office is also only a mile from 233rd Street, Engel added.

McAdams has yet to gain any endorsements from elected officials, but Seabrook and Heastie collected signatures for him. "This community wants fair representation," Thomas said. "McAdams should have a say in the race and express his vision." 

Engel raised almost double the dollar amount of his challenger in the first quarter of the year, but McAdams continues to pull in funds. "He's self-motivated in raising money, and that's unusual for a candidate," Hysell said. 

While the candidates share labor as a top priority, along with other liberal causes, McAdams looks to distinguish himself as someone who understands ordinary people. "I'm an ordinary guy running for U.S. Congress during a time where people are tired of the same old politicians," he said. 

McAdams has been particularly outspoken against the war, which Engel voted for. "This is not a war we should have gotten involved in," he said. 

But McAdams only became a Democrat two years ago, which Engel sees as suspect. "I think it's opportunistic," he said. "He has no record of battling for anything of importance for the district."

McAdams says he voted for Democrats in many presidential elections. "As I grew older, my tendencies have always been toward . . . middle class [issues]," he said. McAdams attributed his status as a Republican to his early years in the Navy, where he served on the Presidential Honor Guard during the first Bush administration.

While McAdams takes the race seriously, he is not shy about saying that future races are possible if he loses this battle. "I'm only 32 years old," said McAdams, with a smile. "It  leaves the door open."

Ed. note: The Norwood News will continue to cover this race over the summer. The primary election is on Sept. 14.

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