Michael Rocque (R), the retired soldier who is one of four Republicans seeking to oust freshman Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D), was in Washington, D.C., last week meeting with conservative interest groups and raising money.

Although he is not the favorite of most national Republican leaders, Rocque drew three Members of Congress to his D.C. fundraiser — GOP Reps. John Shimkus (Ill.), who is a West Point classmate of Rocque’s wife, Rep. Geoff Davis (Ky.) and Rep. Howard Coble (N.C.).

Meanwhile, the man who is the favorite of most Republicans — former state GOP Chairman Sandy Treadwell — was raising money Sunday at the Essex farm of former Gov. George Pataki (R), who appointed Treadwell to New York secretary of state and later arranged for him to become party chairman.

According to the Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Treadwell told the crowd that he hoped to change the tone on Capitol Hill. He recalled a recent visit to Congress, likening it to “‘Animal House’ without the food fight.”

— Josh Kurtz