Former CNN anchor Jon Avron announces run for Congress

Former CNN anchor John Abron announced his candidacy for New York’s 1st Congressional District on Wednesday, arguing that “democracy is at stake.”

in Video posted Avlon said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was running to preserve democracy and build a broad coalition against former President Trump, the current Republican presidential front-runner.

“I believe the United States is the greatest democracy the world has ever known. But now our democracy is at risk,” the former news anchor said in the video. Told. “This election is not a drill. It’s up to all of us to step up and come off the sidelines. That’s why I’m running for Congress in New York’s 1st District. I love There is too much at stake for this country and this community.”

“We need to build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Donald Trump, protect our democracy, and take back the House from his MAGA minions who no longer seem interested in solving problems,” he added. Yes,” he added.

Avron also vowed to focus on rebuilding the middle class, investing in infrastructure, protecting women’s reproductive rights and combating climate change.

His announcement comes just two weeks after he left CNN, where he joined in 2010 and became a full-time employee in 2018. He is a former editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast and a founding leader of the No Labels movement. .

Upon leaving CNN, Avlon said: written in the work“Democracy depends on citizens participating in political debate in good faith. They depend on elevating fact over fiction. Especially in difficult times, when citizens withdraw from the arena. It relies on being in the arena instead of doing it.”

Mr. Avlon is seeking to unseat first-term Rep. Nick Larota (R), who was elected as part of a wave of New York Republicans who helped shift the House to Republican control in the 2022 election. , would join an already crowded field of Democrats. Midterm exam.

The Cook Party Voting Index for Empire State District 1 is R+6.

In a statement to The Hill, a spokesperson for LaRota’s campaign accused Avlon of being a “Manhattan elitist with no attachment to Long Island other than his vacation home in the Hamptons.”

“Mr. Abron knows nothing about Suffolk County other than croquet games in Sag Harbor and summer cocktail parties in Bridgehampton,” Will Kiley, a spokesman for the congressman’s campaign, said in a statement.

Kiley went on to say that knowing that the Avlon neighborhood has a “history” of rejecting “elitists” both from out-of-state and across the aisle from Manhattan requires that Avlon “take millions of my friends’ money.” ” would have to be burned. Buy a seat in Congress. ”

“On the contrary, Congressman Larota has dedicated much of his adult life to serving America and Suffolk County, and providing the sensible conservative voice that Long Island needs at this critical time in our great nation’s history.” “I’ve played a big role,” Kiley added.

The Hill has reached out to Avron’s camp for comment.

Avron will be running in a crowded Democratic primary that includes former state Sen. James Gaughlan. Craig Herskowitz, a former New York City administrative law judge, also worked in the administration of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Kyle Hill, a health policy expert and former senior legislative aide;

Organic chemist Nancy Goroff is also running in the primary after losing to former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R.N.Y.) by 11 points in 2020.

A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) said in a statement that Avlon’s candidacy “adds more left-wing fuel to the already crowded dumpster fire of the Democratic primary.”

“We look forward to litigating this self-righteous liberal hack’s past so voters can see how far left he and other modern Democrats have become.” NRCC added Spokesperson Savannah Viall.

CNN commentator David Axelrod, who served as a senior White House adviser under President Obama, praised Avlon’s decision to run.

“My old colleague @JohnAvlon will be a great and influential congressman. He is thoughtful, sharp, and passionate about our country and its future,” Axelrod said in a campaign announcement. I wrote about X in response to.

Updated at 3:53 p.m. ET