Democratic Congressional candidate Sean Patrick Maloney is tying Rep. Nan Hayworth to House Speaker John Boehner, suggesting that she’s on the verge of receiving a “bailout” from the Ohio Republican and “shadowy conservative groups.”

Boehner is due to appear at a fundraiser for Hayworth on Friday in Rye Brook, with tickets going as high for $1,000 for the cocktail reception.

“It would have been nice if Congresswoman Hayworth brought Speaker Boehner to the Hudson Valley last year to meet with her constituents after Hurricane Irene devastated the district,” Maloney said in a statement. “But all you need to know about Nan Hayworth is that she’s bringing leadership up here for the sole purpose of raising money for her campaign.  Nan Hayworth blocked Hurricane relief for her own district and voted – twice – to end Medicare as we know it.  She’s extreme and out of step, and that’s why John Boehner and shadowy conservative groups will do anything to throw her a lifeline.”

Boehner and other Republican leadership figures are due to be in New York City on June 25 for a mega fundraiser that includes the Republican House delegation from New York.

Maloney, one of five Democrats competing in a June 26 primary, is considered a pretty good fundraiser himself, raising more than $500,000 despite his late entry into the race (though fellow Democrat Richard Becker points out much of that money can’t be used in the primary).

It’s not out of the ordinary for a challenger to tie their potential opponent to the national party’s leadership. Indeed, Republicans have been gleeful to link Democratic candidates around the country to Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who is deeply unpopular among conservative voters.

And it’s also not surprising that Boehner would want to get involved in the Hayworth race. Republicans made major gains in 2010 in House districts around the state. With the political map redrawn by a federal magistrate, both parties believe the outcome of many of the on-the-bubble races in New York could be pivotal for who controls the House next year.

Update: Hayworth campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh responds, wondering outloud if Maloney received a “Clinton bailout” with the former president’s endorsement.

“The fact is, John Boehner is the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and by God, we’re happy to have his support and why not?”

Murtagh also took issue with Maloney’s claim that Hayworth blocked federal Hurricane Irene relief.

“The record is very clear that she has been fervent for helping to facilitate relief for the National Guard and farmers,” he said. ”From what Mr. Maloney says there from his penthouse in Manhattan, it’s a flat out lie. The next time Mr. Maloney comes to the 18th district, it will be the first time. This is a congressional seat of his convenience from his penthouse in Manhattan.”

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