Dem Candidate Won't Support Pelosi, Despite Receiving $14K From Her PAC

Anthony Brindisi, a Democratic congressional candidate in New York, is vowing to vote against Nancy Pelosi for House speaker if the Democrats reclaim the majority in November, Syracuse.com reported.

Of course, his pledge is also contingent on him winning his district. Still, his remarks came despite receiving $14,000 from Pelosi's political action committee, the website noted.

Brindisi, a state Assembly member from Utica, is challenging Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney.

He is firmly against supporting Pelosi for House speaker.

"It's something that I decided early on by talking to voters in the district," Brindisi said Thursday. "I believe it's time for new leadership on both sides of the aisle. I've always been an independent voice in Albany, and I will continue to do that in Washington."

Syracuse.com, citing a Federal Election Commission report, noted Pelosi's congressional campaign and her leadership PAC, PAC to the Future, have contributed a combined $14,000 to his campaign.

In addition, the Democrat Party made him one of their top 11 recruits nationwide this year, according to Syracuse.com. The website said the party has spent more than $200,000 to back his congressional bid through a super PAC with close ties to Pelosi.

But Brindisi said he is not concerned about any loss of campaign support.

"I think that's for others to decide," Brindisi said. "I'm going to continue to run this race and listen to people across this district."

According to the website, Brindisi is at least the seventh of 41 candidates in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" program to say they will not support Pelosi.

Pelosi told the Boston Globe she fully intends to lead House Democrats if they recapture the majority in November.

"We will win," she said. "I will run for speaker. I feel confident about it. And my members do, too."

Pelosi is a prolific fundraiser for the Democrats. According to Politico, she has raised over $16 million for House Democrats in the first quarter of this year. 

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