I met John Avlon years ago when a mutual friend asked me to meet with him and help him with a book he was writing. I still remember it because he left a strong impression on me. Intelligent, polite, and well-prepared for the meeting, I realized he was someone significant.
When asked the perpetual question, “Do you speak Greek?” he responded, “A little, I’m the grandson of Greek immigrants, and I’m very proud of my heritage.” I got the impression that he truly meant it.

After his excellent education – Yale, Columbia – he worked as a journalist, political analyst, and host on CNN, from which he resigned to run for a congressional seat in an area that traditionally elects Republican candidates. This area includes two thirds of Suffolk County, including Huntington, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southold, Southampton, East Hampton, and Shelter Island. It’s a mix of middle-class residents and very wealthy individuals.

John raised about $2.3 million, but after the primaries, he has $600,000 left. His opponent has much more, over $2 million more. Despite this, judging by the intensity of the attacks against him – according to this week’s NYT article – and after the shift in national political momentum following Harris’ candidacy, it seems he has a good chance of winning.

The attacks against him don’t seem to stick. His opponent, LaLota, accuses him of not living in the area, of not being ‘one of them’. By the way, LaLota does not live in the congressional district they are running in either – he lives in Amityville – regardless, the law does not require that of candidates. However, John has a house in Sag Harbor, which he has turned into his campaign headquarters.
The question that is actually pertinent though is whether it matters how long he has spent in Sag Harbor each year or what his positions on various issues concerning the area and the country will be…

We need him.