East Fishkill, NY/May 14, 2008 – The Dutchess County Republican Committee met in Poughkeepsie last night to vote on the candidates to challenge Rep. John Hall. Kieran Michael Lalor came away with a landslide victory by a nearly 2-1 margin over George Oros.

"This straw poll demonstrates that voters are being heard. Republican leaders recognize that winning 2008 will require the Party to chart a new course," said Lalor.

The Dutchess Committee is the first Republican Committee to take an official poll before the May 22 congressional district nominating convention. The win gives Lalor important momentum going into that convention.

"I'm confident that the support of the dedicated leaders and activists in the Dutchess Committee will be decisive at the nominating covention," Lalor added. "The Republican Party in the Hudson Valley is energized and ready to take on John Hall."

"The decisive margin of the vote shows that Party leaders in Dutchess understand Lalor is the best leader the Hudson Valley can send to Washington. Voters have been searching for an energetic and passionate advocate for winning Republican principles. Lalor is that candidate," said Lalor spokesman Chris Covucci.

The landslide Dutchess victory comes days after Lalor secured the key endorsements of the Monroe and Port Jervis Republican committees in Orange County. With a little over a week left before the nominating convention Lalor is the only candidate to secure any official committee endorsements or straw poll victories.