Varsity Blues Prosecutor, Combat Vet Join Field For Lowey's Seat

CHAPPAQUA, NY — Two more people have joined the quest for the seat in Congress from which Nita Lowey is retiring. Asha Castleberry-Hernandez is a combat veteran. Adam Schliefer was the prosecutor in the celebrity-college-admissions scandal.

Lowey, a Democrat representing New York's 17th Congressional District, announced her retirement in October, saying she would not seek re-election in 2020. She has served 16 terms in Congress, having first been elected in 1988. Lowey was the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee.

Castleberry-Hernandez teaches foreign policy at Baruch College in Manhattan. Born in White Plains, she now lives in Elmsford, according to News12.

A graduate of Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, Schliefer worked for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles during Operation Varsity Blues. Schliefer's father, Leonard, is the CEO of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, one of the Hudson Valley's biggest companies.

"We are living through extraordinary times, and my experience has prepared me to repair our frayed fabric and rebuild a culture of engagement and cooperation as we look to build a thriving future," he said on his website.

Schliefer's announcement drew a quick response from Mondaire Jones, who announced a challenge to Lowey months ago. Jones, a Rockland County Democrat, had hoped to primary Lowey. He describes himself as "a 32-year-old, openly gay, black, man."

"When I said we don't need more millionaires in Congress, I didn't mean we need more billionaires. Adam Schleifer was raised by a father worth $1.4 billion. I was raised by a single mom who needed to work multiple jobs to provide for our family, even as we relied on food stamps and Section 8 housing. I know we need student debt forgiveness — because I graduated with over $120,000 in student loans. I know we need to guarantee healthcare for everyone in this country — because I‘ve gone without it. That's why I'm running a grassroots campaign powered by support from working people across the district. It's surreal that a billionaire from California thinks he can buy this election; fortunately, the people of Rockland and Westchester are too smart to be bought off."

Schliefer is the second Chappaqua resident to announce he's seeking the post. Dr. Evelyn Farkas, a former assistant deputy assistant secretary of defense, was responsible for the Obama administration's policies toward Russia, Ukraine and several other European countries. She announced her intention to seek the Democratic nod last week.

Also running are Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat representing the 93rd District of New York, State Senator David Carlucci, D-Rockland/Westchester, and Sleepy Hollow resident Allison Fine, the former chairwoman of the pro-choice organization NARAL.

The 17th Congressional District is comprised of Rockland County and parts of Westchester County.