NEW YORK – Former Governor of New York George Pataki was the featured speaker at the first fundraiser for the Congressional campaign of George Demos, who has already launched a much-you tube-viewed campaign ad with the aim of unseating the Democrat incumbent, Tim Bishop, in eastern Long Island.

“They say I’m always late,” said Pataki, who only copped to sometimes being five or ten minutes late to events. “But in this case I am two years late in endorsing George Demos,” he continued.

The 9^th floor solarium of the Women’s National Republican Club looks out over Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral was filled with friends, family and supporters, including Kyriakos Tsakopoulos, brother of George’s ebullient wife Chrysa.

Father Alexander Karloutsos, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate who is the pastor of the Church of the Kimisis – Dormition of the Theotokos, in Southampton, NY, which is in Bishop’s district and where Demos is a member, was also present.

The guests were welcomed by Peter J. Pappas , Chairman of  P.J. Mechanical, who told of the origins of  the New York State Hellenic American Republican Association and its early support for Pataki’s gubernatorial campaign.

It was established around the time he got to know Demos better – Pappas knew his parents socially – who was president of the Republican club at Columbia University. He asked him to campaign for Pataki and Demos said “count me in.”

Pappas became impressed with the young Republican, and surprised him by one day telling him “George you are going to go places. You will be in public office one day.”

He is now one of Demos’ strongest supporters because he believes “he will do what is right for the U.S. of A,” Pappas said.

Demos thanked Pappas, and Peter J. Pappas, Jr. for their support. After acknowledging his parents, Emmanuel and Helen Demos, and his wife Chrysa, he thanked all the guests “for taking the time this busy Christmas season. With all the parties to go to, to take the time to go to a political event mean you believe in our cause and the cause of freedom and that we will take back this congressional seat.”

He also thanked Tsakopoulos for being a supporter even before he met his sister, who gave birth to their first child, Angelo, six months ago.

“Having a little guy gives you a new perspective on life and makes you look at politics in a whole different way. The future is so important, and we must fight for what we believe in. We have to look to the future of all our children and grandchildren and make sure there will be an American dream when little Angelo grows up.”

The need for fiscal responsibility and limiting over taxation and regulation are at the core of his campaign message.