New York’s 25th District seat, held by freshman Democrat Dan Maffei, is beginning to attract a crowd of Republican hopefuls.

Businessman Mark Bitz, a former turkey farm owner, has filed the paperwork for a run and told the Syracuse Post-Standard he intends to give his campaign “a substantial amount” of his own money. Former Syracuse Councilor Ann Marie Buerkle is also seriously looking at the race, and strategists say at least one and perhaps more unnamed candidates have expressed interest. They join conservative activists Paul Bertan and David Gay in the GOP field.

Of those publicly expressing interest, Bitz looks to have the early momentum. “Bitz has a good amount of excitement behind his campaign … both in D.C. and in the district,” one Republican strategist said.