Dan Maffei attracted attention in 2006 when he came within 3,000 votes of defeating nine term incumbent Rep. Jim Walsh (R) in upstate New York's 25th Congressional District. Although Democratic strategists had assumed Rep. Walsh was safe for reelection, Maffei noted the district was carried by John Kerry in 2004.

Defying the conventional wisdom, Maffei ran a campaign based on sharp criticism of Walsh's support for the war in Iraq. As a top aide to Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), Maffei had opposed the war before it began. Now, he called for withdrawal:

"It is long overdue that we implement a specific plan to withdraw our troops. This withdrawal should be done in a manner that is as safe as possible for the departing Americans and for the Iraqi people. Congress needs to pass the legislation to begin this process and mandate that out generals on the ground devise a plan to bring our troops home quickly, safely, and responsibly."

Bolstered by an endorsement from PeacePAC, Maffei ran a grassroots campaign that defeated Walsh in the key cities of Syracuse and Rochester. But Walsh's slight edge in the rural areas and suburbs helped him eke out a 51-49% victory.

Stung by his near defeat, Walsh attempted to modify his position on the war. Walsh voted in favor of a Democratic resolution criticizing President Bush's "surge" strategy, but then voted against legislation to begin a U.S. withdrawal. Maffei, however, was resolute in his criticism of the Bush war policy. In a speech marking the fifth anniversary of the war, Maffei stated:

"Five years ago, President Bush sent our troops to Iraq with false information, unprepared, and without a plan to win the peace. New Yorkers have invested $46.9 billion in the war in Iraq, money that could have provided nearly 9 million New Yorkers with healthcare, 8 million students a chance to go to college on a scholarship or hire 550,000 new elementary school teachers."

Walsh decided that he preferred retirement to a rematch and announced that he would not run again in 2008. It is not clear who the GOP candidate will be. However, the race remains a top Republican priority. You can help Maffei bring his anti-war message to Washington by sending a check to: