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WatertownDailyTimes.com - July 22, 2009 Lowville native, Oved & Oved LLP Attorney, Brian McGrath wants McHugh's jobBy Steve Virkler & Kelly L Reynolds LOWVILLE — A Lowville native and New York City attorney will seek the Democratic nomination for the 23rd Congressional District seat. "I'm tired of the empty and broken promises of the Albany folks and the Washington folks," said Brian S. McGrath, 34. Mr. McGrath since April has worked for Oved & Oved LLP in New York City as a litigation partner, focusing on commercial litigation and white-collar crime investigations. However, he has spent the past five weeks traveling the vast congressional district and meeting with 10 of the 11 county Democratic chairmen in anticipation of seeking the nomination. "The response has been so encouraging," he said. Mr. McGrath said he recently purchased his father's home at 6627-B Arthur Road in the town of Martinsburg and plans to spend much of the week at the Lewis County Fair, starting today. Mr. McGrath's family operates McGrath Dairy and Surge, a local milking equipment dealership, and McGrath Electric on South State Street in Lowville. Both businesses rely heavily on the local farmers, who are being hurt by "a totally broken milk pricing scheme," he said. "It's outrageous what they're going through," Mr. McGrath said. "We need to get something real done." He also said via release that he wants to "roll back unfair trade deals like NAFTA." "I am not a politician and I have new ideas and a fresh perspective on solving our communities' problems," he said. A 1993 graduate of Lowville Academy and Central School, Mr. McGrath earned a bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Geneseo and a law degree from the University at Buffalo in 2000, graduating magna cum laude. He previously worked as a special assistant with the Kings County district attorney's office in Brooklyn and a litigation associate at Dewey & Leboeuf LLP in New York City. Despite his work addresses, Mr. McGrath said he has always remained true to his roots. "The north country isn't just where I grew up, it's what I am," Mr. McGrath said. "I'm a north country kid. I know what north country people go through. The chairs have seen that and appreciate it." He said that his time in New York City has given him a new perspective on economics and allowed him to develop a network of friends that could help finance a costly campaign. Mr. McGrath — who has retained the services of Mullen & Co., a political communications firm in Washington, D.C., and commissioned a poll — said he is willing to "drop six figures" of his own money on a potential campaign and has a fundraising plan that could net $1 million or more. According to his resume, Mr. McGrath registered as a Republican at the age of 18 and then changed his party affiliation to Democrat in 2006. He is now a "strong financial supporter of Democratic candidates and progressive causes," it states. U.S. Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, will resign when he is confirmed as Army secretary this summer, possibly leading to a special election. Democratic county leaders announced that anyone interested in seeking the nomination would have until Thursday to submit supporting material. Not surprisingly, Mr. McGrath has the endorsement of Lewis County Democratic Chairman Edward M. Murphy. "I am thrilled to see him in this process," Mr. Murphy said in a release. "I've known Brian McGrath since childhood, and we're lucky to have someone of his talents considering a run for Congress."
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