A Central New York health care professional has launched a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. John Katko for the Republican nomination in 2022 for New York’s 24th Congressional District seat.
According to his campaign website, Timothy Ko, a first-generation Korean American, is a physician assistant specialist in neurosurgery. He attended Syracuse University and currently lives in Fayetteville. His platform includes balancing the federal budget, privacy to health care and securing the southern border. He also views himself as pro-life.
“After much prayer and encouragement from members of his community, Tim has decided to step up and serve his country in a new way – running for Congress,” his campaign website says. “For too long he has watched politicians like John Katko make promises to their communities to uphold their constitutional values, fight for their freedoms and their tax dollars, and protect their jobs and businesses, only to break those promises the minute they enter the halls of Congress.”
Ko criticized Katko for supporting “a laundry list” of Democratic priorities, including the recent infrastructure overhaul plan, which Katko and 12 other House Republicans voted in favor of last week.
“Central New York deserves a Congressman who has their back and protects their jobs, their livelihoods and their freedom. Tim Ko is ready to serve,” Ko’s website says.
This is the first time that Katko, first elected in 2014, has seen a serious challenge for the Republican ticket. He has faced criticism from his right flank, particularly since his January vote to impeach President Donald Trump over the Capitol Hill riot. Since then, Conservative Party committees in the district have dropped their support of him. The former president has also offered supporting a Katko challenger.
Primary elections would be held in June.
The 24th Congressional District may also look slightly different next year once New York’s legislative redistricting process is complete.
