Kieran Lalor
Encyclopedia
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 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.
, 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. At basic training, he was the second oldest recruit in his platoon. 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." Lalor's unit was demobilized in December 2002 but was activated again in March 2003 and deployed to Iraq
. 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.
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.
and The Weekly Standard
. On behalf of the group, Lalor addressed the National Press Club
in April 2008 During the 2010 election cycle the Iraq Vets For Congress helped elect five Iraq veterans to the United States House of Representatives
.
George Oros
.http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/805240345/-1/SPORTS
He 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. The 19th district is considered vulnerable, and Hall has been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee
. 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. As of his October 15 report, Saul had raised more than $781,000 for the race, out raising even 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. 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 chose Lalor, with 347 votes going to Lalor, 311 to Oros, and 102 to DioGuardi. Oros vowed to wage a primary challenge
In connection with his campaign, Lalor appeared on Fox News Channel
, Pundit Review Radio, and other media and 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". Lalor believed a conservative candidate would have the best chance of unseating Hall. He garnered attention, leveling criticism of Hall's Republican predecessor, Sue Kelly, as being too liberal, and criticized the Republican frontrunner Andrew Saul, by saying "[H]e's Sue Kelly all over again", 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".
Lalor was an outspoken critic of Hall since he took office, and has been 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."
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. In the article, Lalor wrote "Hall and his ilk are busily feigning support for the military and for veterans while at the same time carrying out the left's marching orders in Washington with one destructive anti-military vote after another."
During the November 4, 2008 general election, Democratic
Congressman
John Hall defeated Lalor, with 58% of the vote however, Lalor earned more votes than any challenger in the history of the district, but the least any Republican candidate has ever won. Lalor won 42% of the vote.
In September 2010 Lalor founded Vets For New York (VFNY), a political action committee
(PAC), which supports conservative Republican veterans running for local, county, state and federal office in New York State.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
who founded Iraq Vets for Congress (a political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
). He works in the defense industry
Defense industry
The defense industry, also called the military industry, comprises government and commercial industry involved in research, development, production, and service of military materiel, equipment and facilities...
, and is a former social studies
Social studies
Social studies is the "integrated study of the social sciences and humanities to promote civic competence," as defined by the American National Council for the Social Studies...
teacher, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
of the Iraq War.
Lalor was the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate in New York's 19th congressional district
New York's 19th congressional district
United States House of Representatives, New York District 19 is located in the southern part of the state of New York. District 19 lies north of New York City and is composed of parts of Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, in addition to the entirety of Putnam County.District 19...
election of 2008, but lost to incumbent John Hall. Lalor is a resident of Fishkill, New York
Fishkill, New York
Fishkill is an upscale village within the much larger town, Town of Fishkill, one of the fastest growing towns in the region, in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The village population was 1,735 at the 2000 census...
.
In November 2010 Lalor published a book about Marine Corps boot camp
Boot camp
Boot camp refers colloquially to military recruit training.Boot camp can also refer to:-Music:* Bootcamp , a 1980s band* Boot Camp , from Lil Soldiers...
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
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
under his blanket using a flashlight. Each morning he mailed the entries home for safe-keeping.
Early career and background
Lalor was born in Wappingers Falls, New YorkWappingers Falls, New York
Wappingers Falls is a village in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The name is derived from the local Wappinger Indians. One half of the village is in the town of Wappinger and the other half is in the town of Poughkeepsie, with Wappinger Creek forming the dividing line between the...
, and graduated from Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
. He then worked as a Social Studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in nearby Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
.
Lalor enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
in July 2000 and thereafter served as a U.S. Marine Corp reservist. At basic training, he was the second oldest recruit in his platoon. He later enrolled at Pace University School of Law
Pace University School of Law
Pace University School of Law, known colloquially as "Pace Law School", is the law school of Pace University, a comprehensive, independent, and diversified university with campuses in New York City and Westchester County...
, but left school when his reserve infantry unit was called to active service after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
in 2001, with Lalor training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as part of a "ready reaction force." Lalor's unit was demobilized in December 2002 but was activated again in March 2003 and deployed to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. While in Iraq, Lalor's unit participated in security and humanitarian operations in the city of Nasiriyah
Nasiriyah
Nasiriyah is a city in Iraq. It is on the Euphrates about 225 miles southeast of Baghdad, near the ruins of the ancient city of Ur. It is the capital of the province of Dhi Qar...
, located along the Euphrates River in southern Iraq.
Upon his return from Iraq, Lalor returned to the Pace University School of Law
Pace University School of Law
Pace University School of Law, known colloquially as "Pace Law School", is the law school of Pace University, a comprehensive, independent, and diversified university with campuses in New York City and Westchester County...
and graduated in 2007. His six year military obligation ended in 2006, and Lalor achieved the rank of Corporal.
Iraq Vets for Congress (IVC)
Lalor is the founder of Iraq Vets for Congress, a group of Republican congressional candidates who served in Iraq. Lalor and the IVC generated national interest and covered by NewsweekNewsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
and The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative opinion magazine published 48 times per year. Its founding publisher, News Corporation, debuted the title September 18, 1995. Currently edited by founder William Kristol and Fred Barnes, the Standard has been described as a "redoubt of...
. On behalf of the group, Lalor addressed the National Press Club
National Press Club
The National Press Club is a professional organization and private social club for journalists. It is located in Washington, D.C. Its membership consists of journalists, former journalists, government information officers, and those considered to be regular news sources. It is well-known for its...
in April 2008 During the 2010 election cycle the Iraq Vets For Congress helped elect five Iraq veterans to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
2008 Congressional campaign
Lalor won a District-wide Republican convention held on May 22, 2008, prevailing over former Congressman Joseph DioGuardi and County legislatorWestchester County Board of Legislators
The Westchester County Board of Legislators is the legislative, policy-making branch of Westchester County. The powers of the Board are enumerated in the County’s charter. A key power of the Board concerns finances: appropriating funds, approving the budget and levying taxes...
George Oros
George Oros
George Oros is an American lawyer and Republican politician from Cortlandt Manor, New York.-Political career and background:Oros was born in Trenton, New Jersey and moved to Westchester to attend college. Oros earned both a B.B.A. and J.D. from Pace University...
.http://lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/805240345/-1/SPORTS
He 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. The 19th district is considered vulnerable, and Hall has been targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
. Lalor was joined in the Republican race by ex-Congressman Joseph DioGuardi; County legislator George Oros; and businessman Andrew Saul
Andrew Saul
Andrew Marshall Saul is an American millionaire businessman from Katonah, New York who serves as the Chairman of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board and Vice Chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City, United States...
, a Bush appointee
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
as Chairman of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board was established as an independent agency of the United States government by the Federal Employees Retirement System Act of 1986. It is one of the smaller executive branch agencies, with just over 80 employees...
and a board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
(MTA).
Saul withdrew from the race for the Republican nomination on November 20, 2007, citing personal reasons. As of his October 15 report, Saul had raised more than $781,000 for the race, out raising even 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. On May 22, 2008, Republican delegates from each of the five counties represented in the 19th district met in Mahopac, New York
Mahopac, New York
Mahopac, New York, is a hamlet in the Town of Carmel in Putnam County, New York. An exurb of New York City some to the south, Mahopac is located on US Route 6 on the County's southern central border with Westchester County...
to endorse a candidate, and chose Lalor, with 347 votes going to Lalor, 311 to Oros, and 102 to DioGuardi. Oros vowed to wage a primary challenge
In connection with his campaign, Lalor appeared on Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
, Pundit Review Radio, and other media and was described by blogger Brian Faughnan of The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard is an American neoconservative opinion magazine published 48 times per year. Its founding publisher, News Corporation, debuted the title September 18, 1995. Currently edited by founder William Kristol and Fred Barnes, the Standard has been described as a "redoubt of...
as "a bright, hard-working, and energetic candidate, who is proud to call himself a Reagan Republican". Lalor believed a conservative candidate would have the best chance of unseating Hall. He garnered attention, leveling criticism of Hall's Republican predecessor, Sue Kelly, as being too liberal, and criticized the Republican frontrunner Andrew Saul, by saying "[H]e's Sue Kelly all over again", as well as criticizing former Governor
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
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".
Lalor was an outspoken critic of Hall since he took office, and has been 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."
In September 2007, Lalor criticized Hall for refusing to condemn MoveOn.org after the group ran an ad attacking General David Petraeus
David Petraeus
David Howell Petraeus is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, sworn in on September 6, 2011. Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving over 37 years in the United States Army. His last assignments in the Army were as commander...
, who is a native of the Cornwall, New York
Cornwall, New York
Cornwall is a town in Orange County, New York, USA. It is located about 50 miles north of New York City on the western shore of the Hudson River. The estimated population in 2007 was 12,827....
and a graduate of United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, both of which are located in the 19th Congressional District. In the article, Lalor wrote "Hall and his ilk are busily feigning support for the military and for veterans while at the same time carrying out the left's marching orders in Washington with one destructive anti-military vote after another."
During the November 4, 2008 general election, Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
John Hall defeated Lalor, with 58% of the vote however, Lalor earned more votes than any challenger in the history of the district, but the least any Republican candidate has ever won. Lalor won 42% of the vote.
In September 2010 Lalor founded Vets For New York (VFNY), a political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
(PAC), which supports conservative Republican veterans running for local, county, state and federal office in New York State.