Kieran Lalor

Kieran Michael Lalor
Lalor speaking at the National Press Club
Born	Wappingers Falls, New York, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Years of service	2001–2007
Rank	Corporal (USMC)
Battles/wars	Iraq War Katrina disaster relief
Awards	Marine Corps Achievement Medal National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal Combat Action Ribbon

Kieran Michael Lalor is an American politician, entrepreneur and author who founded Iraq Vets for Congress (a political action committee). He works in the defense industry, and is a former social studies teacher, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War. Lalor is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 105th district.

Lalor was the Republican candidate in New York's 19th congressional district election of 2008, but lost to incumbent John Hall. Lalor is a resident of Fishkill, New York.

In November 2010 Lalor published a book about Marine Corps boot camp called, This Recruit: A First Hand Account of Marine Corps Boot Camp Written While Knee Deep in Mayhem. Beginning with his trip to the recruiting office, Lalor kept a journal. As he did not have any writing implements the first few days on Parris Island he memorized the important events by constantly recalling them in chronological order before bed and as soon as he woke up. When he was finally issued pen and paper he wrote down everything he could remember about the dizzying first days on the island and mailed the entries home. For the rest of boot camp Lalor's entries were written at night in the barracks under his blanket using a flashlight. Each morning he mailed the entries home for safe-keeping. ^{[citation needed]}

Early career and background

Lalor was born in Wappingers Falls, New York, and graduated from Providence College. He then worked as a Social Studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in nearby Poughkeepsie.

Lalor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in July 2000 and thereafter served as a U.S. Marine Corp reservist.^[1] At basic training, he was the second oldest recruit in his platoon.^[2] He later enrolled at Pace University School of Law, but left school when his reserve infantry unit was called to active service after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, with Lalor training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as part of a "ready reaction force."^[1] Lalor's unit was demobilized in December 2002 but was activated again in March 2003 and deployed to Iraq.^[1][2] While in Iraq, Lalor's unit participated in security and humanitarian operations in the city of Nasiriyah, located along the Euphrates River in southern Iraq.^[2]

Upon his return from Iraq, Lalor returned to the Pace University School of Law and graduated in 2007. His six year military obligation ended in 2006, and Lalor achieved the rank of Corporal.

Political career

Iraq Vets for Congress (IVC)

Lalor is the founder of Iraq Vets for Congress, a group of Republican congressional candidates who served in Iraq.^[3] Lalor and the IVC generated national interest and covered by Newsweek and The Weekly Standard.^[4][5][6] On behalf of the group, Lalor addressed the National Press Club in April 2008^[7] During the 2010 election cycle the Iraq Vets For Congress helped elect five Iraq veterans to the United States House of Representatives. ^{[citation needed]}

2008 Congressional campaign

Lalor won a District-wide Republican convention held on May 22, 2008, prevailing over former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi and County legislator George Oros. Lalor declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2007 and was the first candidate to file paperwork as a candidacy for the 2008 race.^[8] Lalor was joined in the Republican race by ex-Congressman Joseph DioGuardi; County legislator George Oros; and businessman Andrew Saul, a Bush appointee as Chairman of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board and a board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Saul withdrew from the race for the Republican nomination on November 20, 2007, citing personal reasons.^[9]

As of his October 15 report, Saul had raised more than $781,000 for the race, outraising the incumbent, while Lalor had raised less than $30,000, leading pundits to question his viability as a candidate in an election year where the Republican party is looking for candidates who self-finance.^[10][11][12]

On May 22, 2008, Republican delegates from each of the five counties represented in the 19th district met in Mahopac, New York to endorse a candidate, and selected Lalor with 347 votes; Oros received 311 and DioGuardi received 102.^[13] Oros vowed to wage a primary challenge^[14] but subsequently withdrew from the race.

In connection with his campaign, Lalor appeared on radio and television programs, including Fox News Channel. He was described by blogger Brian Faughnan of The Weekly Standard as "a bright, hard-working, and energetic candidate, who is proud to call himself a Reagan Republican".^[5] Lalor believed a conservative candidate would have the best chance of unseating Hall.^[8] He garnered attention, leveling criticism of Hall's Republican predecessor, Sue Kelly, as being too liberal, and criticized the Republican frontrunner Andrew Saul as "[H]e's Sue Kelly all over again",^[15] as well as criticizing former Governor George Pataki for his endorsement of Oros, stating that "In 1995, George Pataki became governor of what would become the largest, most inefficient state government in the nation".^[16] Lalor was an outspoken critic of the incumbent Democrat, John Hall. Lalor was quoted as saying that "John Hall went to the floor of the House and said we can't win. When an elected official — my only voice in the House — gives up in one of his first speeches, it's unconscionable."^[17]

In September 2007, Lalor criticized Hall for refusing to condemn MoveOn.org after the group ran an ad attacking General David Petraeus, who is a native of the Cornwall, New York and a graduate of United States Military Academy, both of which are located in the 19th Congressional District.^[18]

On November 4, 2008, the incumbent defeated Lalor by 58% to Lalor's 42%.^[19] In September 2010 Lalor founded Vets For New York (VFNY), a political action committee (PAC), to support conservative Republicans running for local, county, state and federal office in New York State. In November 2012, Lalor was elected to the New York State Assembly, defeating Democratic candidate Paul Curran.^[20]

2012 New York State Assembly Campaign

Lalor officially kicked off his campaign for the 105th Assembly district in New York on May 11, 2012 on the radio station 101.5 WPDH on the Coop and Mulrooney morning show. On why he has thrown his hat into the ring, Lalor said, "I was born and raised right here in Dutchess County. My wife Mary Jo and I are raising our children in this beautiful corner of the world because it's a great place for families. I'm running for the New York State Assembly because I want to ensure that my children come of age in a state bursting with opportunity. Likewise, I am working to become your voice in Albany so that seniors like my parents are not taxed out of their homes." Said Lalor, "For years politicians of both parties have mortgaged our futures to benefit the politically connected. To end this destructive cycle we have to elect representatives who are not part of the broken political establishment." ^{[citation needed]}

Lalor faced Patrick Manning and Richard Wager in the Republican primary race. During the race Lalor's campaign made thousands of live phone calls. He went door to door to thousands of houses to conjure up support for the primary race. Lalor defeated both Manning and Wager with 52% to Manning’s 28% and Wager’s 20%. He received many endorsements from individuals, political groups, and various local clubs and organizations during his campaign. During the general election Lalor faced Democratic challenger Paul F. Curran. One night before the election they set out and succeeded in littering the entire district with signs that advocate for the election of Lalor. On the night of November 6, 2012 Kieran was elected to represent the 105th District of the New York State Assembly. Lalor defeated challenger Paul F. Curran with 56% of the vote to Curran's 44%. ^{[citation needed]}

New York State Assembly

Lalor was sworn into the New York State Assembly on January 9, 2013. During the first session Assemblyman Lalor Sponsored 13 bills and Co-Sponsored 88 bills. Some of the bills Lalor sponsored vary from enacting term limits and reducing salaries; to implementing a gas tax cap and eliminating leadership stipends for members of both houses of the state legislature. He sponsored legislation regarding, among other issyes, Military Tuition Assistance, Gas Tax Cap, [{Sheldon Silver|Silver]]-Lopez scandal.

Lalor passed his first bill during the final days of session. The bill was A07547 which authorizes the commissioner of general services to convey a parcel of land upon the Green Haven correctional facility to the Safe Haven Animal Shelter and Wildlife Center. His district which encompasses Beekman, Dover, East Fishkill, Fishkill, LaGrange, Pawling, Union Vale, Wappinger, Wappingers Falls, and Washington.

Election History

References

External links

• Website of the Eternal Vigilance Society
• Iraq Vets for Congress
• SourceWatch Congresspedia profile of Lalor profile]

References