Gareth Rhodes

---

Gareth Thomas Rhodes (born July 15, 1988) is a former Democratic candidate for United States Congress and former aide to New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

Rhodes was a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in New York’s 19^th congressional district, placing a close second in a seven person field despite being outspent by millions of dollars. His candidacy earned national attention and the endorsement of The New York Times for his “unorthodox campaign strategy” of showing up to all 163 towns in the sprawling, rural congressional district. The district is considered a flip district in the 2018 Midterm Election and is currently held by Republican Congressman John Faso. The district went to President Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election with 54.8 percent of the vote.

Early life and education

Rhodes was born in Benedictine Hospital in Kingston, New York to John and Xaverie Rhodes. Rhodes mother passed away from cancer six weeks after he was born.

Rhodes grew up at Woodcrest, the Bruderhof community in Rifton. Rhodes told the Kingston Times: “It was a great upbringing ... it was the schools, the education, the values, the hard work, the faith-based approach, love of your neighbor, taking care of each other, looking out for each other… [it’s] a big part of my core, who I am today.”

Rhodes graduated Kingston High School in 2006. Upon leaving the Bruderhof communities, he moved to neighboring Marlboro and worked at J.T. Eckerson Well Drilling, Frank’s Deli, and served as a volunteer fire fighter for the Marlboro Fire Department.

Rhodes is a graduate of CUNY City College where he graduated summa cum laude in 2011, interned for the Obama White House, and earned a Truman Scholarship. He is expected to graduate from Harvard Law School in December 2018.

Political career

Rhodes at 25 served as traveling press secretary for New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. In 2013, Gareth was recognized as part of City & State Newspaper's 40-under-40 Rising Stars in State Politics.

Rhodes received national media attention in his role as an aide to Cuomo in the aftermath of the Clinton Correctional Facility escape that took place around June 6, 2015, in which two inmates, Richard Matt and David Sweat, were discovered missing during a 5:30 a.m. bed check. According to the New York Times, “the inmates left a parting message, according to a picture posted to Twitter by Gareth Rhodes, the governor’s deputy press secretary. It shows a yellow Post-it note next to a hole cut in a pipe. On the note, a caricature of a man wearing a conical hat appears above the words 'Have a nice day!'"

On State of Politics, reporter Zack Fink wrote “Having someone like Gareth by the governor’s side always made the [Cuomo] press shop rest assured that everything will be taken care of.”

2018 Election

On May 8, 2017, just days after the Republican House voted to repeal Obamacare, Rhodes announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress, stating “it’s time to repeal and replace John Faso.” The Wall Street Journal wrote that Rhodes “held several communications positions in the governor’s office and was close to Mr. Cuomo.”  The Daily Kos wrote that Rhodes was “most prominent Democrat to jump into the race” and Politico wrote that Rhodes “has a deep network in New York’ politics” and that of Rhodes’ Democratic challengers, “none are well-known in New York politics.” Rhodes received support from former Obama and Cuomo aides, according to The New York Daily News. "Gareth was a very popular staffer," said one source close to Cuomo. "He continues to stay in touch. Everyone wants to be helpful."

In October, Rhodes announced the centerpiece of his campaign, the “Rhodes Trip.” “Rhodes plans to travel to all 163 towns and cities in the district in a 1999 Ford Winnebago RV,” State of Politics wrote. The Kingston Times wrote, “Rhodes talks about big issues like Medicare for All and gun safety; all the Democratic candidates for New York’s 19th congressional district. What makes Rhodes different is he spends just as much time talking about local problems, including addressing the lack of a maternity ward in three counties in this district, dealing with falling numbers of volunteer EMTs and firemen, fixing sidewalks damaged by snow plows, and getting a sign advertising a town as a fishing destination.” The Huffington Post wrote that “Rhodes, who at 29 is the youngest candidate in the field, approaches Medicare for all in the same way he treats every issue in the race: in terms of the very specific ways it affects a vast 'swing' district spread over 11 counties in upstate New York.”

In April, Rhodes was profiled by The New York Times highlighting potential electability. Bruce Ferguson, a leading Democratic activist in Sullivan County, was quotes saying to Rhodes, “Your work ethic is second to none...You are up every morning and hitting the road. It’s the kind of energy we need to win a very tough race.”

On June 17, 2018 Rhodes was endorsed by The New York Times who wrote “[a]mong those in this worthy field, Mr. Rhodes stands out as the best candidate to take on — and beat — Mr. Faso in November. He offers the combination of intelligence, enthusiasm and empathy that is desperately needed in Washington today.” Just days before the election, the Albany Times Union wrote that “it appears that Rhodes’ unique campaign, designed to appeal to the average voter — including independents and Republicans in small towns across the district — has generated significant momentum in the final stretch before primary day.”

On June 26, Election Day, Rhodes placed second, narrowly losing the Democratic nomination to Antonio Delgado, a hip-hop artist and corporate attorney in New York City who moved to Rhinebeck in January 2017 to run for the seat. Rhodes won Sullivan, Columbia, and Delaware counties, and defeated Pat Ryan and Brian Flynn who outspent Rhodes by close to 3:1 margin. Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone wrote “Gareth Rhodes, whose strategy centered on hitting every location in the district by Winnebago, finishes a surprising (and close) second, with 18.3 percent. In explaining Rhodes’ strong performance, Chronogram noted, “while his opponents were raising massive sums, focusing more on media buys and mailers, traditional campaign strategies, Rhodes was out canvassing, picking off votes in rural counties one by one ... Rhodes made by far the most extensive push into the rural, conservative areas in the northern part of the district.” Rhodes “after finishing a strong second to Delgado in the district ... was  the first ex-candidate to publicly to campaign for Delgado, appearing at one of those weekly “Faso Fridays” sidewalk rallies at the congressman’s district office in Kingston.” Bruce Ferguson noted that “Gareth Rhodes was the stealth candidate in the race… [he] proved to be a tireless campaigner, continually perfecting his craft and gaining strength by the day ... Should (God forbid!) Delgado fall short in November, Rhodes is well positioned to run again in 2020.”

References

This article "Gareth Rhodes" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Gareth Rhodes. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

---