Rep. Tom Reynolds, originally uploaded by Rob Bluey.

As a native of New York’s 24th District, I keep close tabs on politics back home. So when Rep. Tom Reynolds (R.-N.Y.), former chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee, came to visit conservative bloggers this afternoon, I wanted to know the political dynamics of the 24th District heading into 2008.

The man Reynolds failed to stop last November, Democrat Rep. Michael Arcuri, has already come under pressure from left-wing bloggers on the issue of the Iraq supplemental. Arcuri flip-flopped on that vote, and you can expect him to face similar dilemmas in the future. That’s because Arcuri represents a district with 30,000 more registered Republicans. President Bush carried it in both 2000 and 2004.

Reynolds is optimistic about Republicans’ recapturing the seat. He said he’s talked to people this week who might enter the race. And he also didn’t rule out Meier throwing his hat in again, which might keep other candidates from declaring early.

In the two other New York seats Republicans lost in 2006, in the 19th and 20th districts, Reynolds said there is a lot of activity in Republican circles — a good sign that the GOP will be competitive in 2008.