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2012
Gillibrand Raises On Spectre Of GOP Takeover
Jun 17th - 4:09 pm
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand sent out a fundraising appeal earlier today, casting herself as one of the four members standing between the Republicans and their desire to re-take control of the upper house.
“Every time we take a step forward, the Republicans are there to push us back,” Gillibrand wrote in the email, which was forwarded to me by a helpful reader.
“Health care, women’s rights, allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Repeal, repeal, repeal. As they fight against any and all progress, the Republicans insist on keeping tax breaks for the wealthy and subsidies for Big Oil while Americans buckle under the pressures of a still struggling economy.”
“I’m proud to be a part of the Democratic majority in the Senate that is standing up to the Republicans. But the fact is that our majority is in jeopardy.
Republicans need just four seats to take over the Senate. Will you help me make sure that mine is not one of them? June 30 is a major filing deadline, so we must act now to show the Republicans that we are strong and ready to fight.”“…We’ve all seen how important it is to have a majority in the Senate to be our first line of defense against the GOP’s outrageous proposals. Please help me keep my seat so I can remain in Congress and continue fighting for the things New Yorkers care about.”
Gillibrand is aiming to raise $100,000 by the next FEC filing date on June 30. She raised more than $3 million in the first quarter of 2011 – a show of fundraising force intended to give pause to any potential 2012 challengers.
Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos is so far the only Republican to formally confirm his plan to run against Gillibrand next fall. He said he would spent between $4 million and $5 million – not $45 million, as originally reported – of his own money on the campaign.
Gillibrand’s First Challenger (Updatedx2)
Jun 17th - 11:34 am
Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos confirmed during a brief telephone interview this morning that he informed Tioga County GOP leaders last night he will be seeking the Republican and Conservative lines to challenge Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2012.
“I’m very serious about running,” Maragos said. “I understand that it’s going to be an uphill fight, but it’s not impossible. I’ve done a lot of impossible things, and I feel I have the reousrces to be successful.”
Maragos is the founder and president of SDS Financial Technologies, a finance and trading services company. He said he’s prepared to spend up to $45 million of his own money to run against Gillibrand, who is a prodigious fundraiser but is not independently wealthy.
UPDATE: Several readers have asked whether I might have misheard Maragos on the number here, and if he may have said “$4 to $5 million). He does have a slight accent (he’s Greek), and I was speaking to him in a slightly noisy office. I have a call in to him seeking clarification.
UPDATE2: I just got off the phone with Maragos, and I did mis-hear him. It’s $4 million to $5 million. Still a lot, but nowhere close to that previous number. Sorry for giving some of you a heart attack.
Maragos, as you may recall, ran a short-lived challenge to New York’s senior senator, Chuck Schumer, last year.
The comptroller failed to receive sufficient support to get onto the ballot at the GOP convention and opted not to petition his way on. Two Republicans ended up getting convention nods – Jay Townsend and Gary Berntsen. Townsend won the primary, but lost in a landslide to Schumer in the November general election.
Maragos had only been in office four months when he first floated his name as a potential Schumer opponent. He defeated the Democratic incumbent, Howard Weitzman, as part of the GOP sweep in 2009 that also saw Republicans re-take control of the county executive’s office and the county legislature.
Gillibrand easily defeated her 2010 GOP opponent, former Westchester Rep. Joe DioGuardi, in her first statewide run for the seat she inherited from former Sen. Hillary Clinton, compliments of former Gov. David Paterson. Gilllibrand is currently serving out the remainder of Clinton’s term, and will run for her own full six-year term in 2012. DioGuardi has said he’s thinking of a re-match, as is one of his vanquished GOP primary opponents, David Malpass.
Gillibrand was initially questioned by the left, thanks to her days as a Blue Dog House member representing NY-20 (a seat currently held by Republican Rep. Chris Gibson). But she worked hard to ingratiate herself with liberals, becoming a champion of gay rights and successfully pushing the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” She also played a key role in getting Congress to pass the Zadroga bill.
Gillibrand hasn’t seen her poll numbers climb much higher than 50 percent, but she has a national profile now – thanks in part to her Vogue spread and her close friendship with Rep. Gabby Giffords, about whom she talked quite a lot in the aftermath of the Arizona congressman’s near-fatal shooting.
The junior senator had a massive first fundraising quarter, bringing in $2.76 million more than $3 million. She had $3.37 million on hand at the end of March.
Libertarians Offer Yes-Voting GOPers An Alternative To Row C
Jun 15th - 11:49 am
In hopes of countering the state Conservative Party’s threat to strip GOP senators who vote “yes” on gay marriage of the right to run on Row C, the Libertarian Party is offering those ousted lawmakers a place to land in 2012.
“The Libertarian Party does not believe government should have any role at all in marriage,” state Chairman Mark Axinn told me in an email this morning. “But inasmuch as it does, we certainly believe that such involvement should be on a non-discriminatory basis.”
“Various Republican State Senators have stated that they will support equal rights for gay New Yorkers and it is likely that the Conservative Party (and perhaps others) will shun them for that. We believe the opposite reaction is warranted. Those state Senators who indicate they oppose government discrimination are welcome to seek the Libertarian line in 2012, and we would be happy to discuss it with any of them should they be so inclined.”
This isn’t exactly an equal trade.
The Conservatives are an official party with a ballot line. Actually, they saw their ballot standing improve thanks to Carl Paladino in 2010, who received sufficient votes to return them to Row C, bumping the Independence Party down two to the WFP’s old Row E.
The Libertarians, who ran Warren Redlich for governor last year, came within 1,600 votes of official ballot status. (The Greens just made it, thanks to their candidate, Howie Hawkins, who just broke the required 50,000-vote threshold).
So, Republican Senate candidates who want the Libertarian line would have to petition their way onto the ballot, gathering 3,000 signatures, whereas Conservatives can simply cross-endorse non-member candidates and issue them Wilson Pakulas at their annual convention.
Still, it is an option to consider, and it’s not nothing. As Axinn wrote:
“In a cross-endorse state like New York, the extra line is the margin of difference. Look at (Queens Republican) NYC Councilman Dan Halloran. He’s the first person to tell anyone that the Libertarian endorsement and extra line on the ballot was a big part of getting elected in an overwhelmingly Democratic district.
Monroe Co. Conservative Chair On Alesi: ‘He Doesn’t Exist Politically’
Jun 15th - 8:20 am
YNN’s Casey Bortnick spoke exclusively yesterday to Monroe County Conservative Party Chairman Tom Cook, who confirmed GOP Sen. Jim Alesi has kissed any hope of running on Row C next year goodbye with his pledge to vote “yes” on same-sex marriage.
However, in a rather telling disclosure, Cook also revealed that the Rochester Republican wasn’t likely to get his party’s nod anyway because of the lawsuit he filed – and then withdrew following a public outcry – against two of his own constituents on whose property he injured himself while trespassing.
“Based on the reaction from (Monroe County Executive) Maggie Brooks and (Monroe County GOP Chairman) Bill Reilich at the time, I doubt he would have gotten the endorsement of the Republican Party, either,” Cook added.
Alesi told me during a CapTon interview Monday following his “yes” vote announcement that he indeed plans to seek re-election next year. So, even though he insisted his 2009 “no” vote was political and now he is “liberated” and planning to vote his own true feelings, it seems politics probably continued to be a consideration for him this time around, too.
Cook also told Bortnick that “three or four” people have already approached him seeking to run against Alesi, adding: “In my opinion, his political career is over. I thought he was toast before, and I think he’s definitely toast now.”
Bortnick also caught up with Reilich, who said he doesn’t see why Alesi’s decision would prevent him from running on the GOP line in 2012, explaining: “We’ve run openly gay candidates in the past…We’re a big tent.”
However, the GOP chairman also said: “Any decision about (Alesi’s) future with the Republican Party or his status as an endorsed Republican candidate won’t be made until the next election cycle.”
Fidler Fundraising For ‘Unspecified’ State Office
Jun 14th - 1:46 pm
A reader forwarded an email invite from NYC Councilman Lew Fidler to an all-day open house fundraiser on June 26 for an “unspecified” state office, telling supporters that it is “imperative” for him to raise more campaign cash than ever before (presumably) to demonstrate political strength.
“As my time in the City Council must necessarily come to an end, it is my fervent hope that I will be able to continue my public service,” Fidler wrote.
“While I cannot control the events that are in the hands of others, it is critical that I be prepared for things that might come my way. Like a good Boy Scout, I have to ‘be prepared.’”
“…While I have always found political fund raising to be one of the most distasteful aspects of elected service, it is unfortunately a necessary one. Without matching funds, and with this urgent need, I am asking you to help…and in as big a way as you possibly can.
Fidler, who will be term-limited out of office in 2013, has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Sen. Carl Kruger’s seat, assuming the scandal-scarred pol doesn’t make it to 2012. If there’s something else he might be mulling, please let me know.
Obama To Fundraise In NYC Next Week
Jun 14th - 1:22 pm
President Obama is coming back to New York City next week for yet another 2012 fundraiser. This time, he will be joined by Whoopi Goldberg for an “Evening on Broadway” which is scheduled for Thursday night.
By my count, this is his fifth trip to New York City this year. His last one coming days after Osama bin Laden was killed.
Gay Marriage Opponents Pledge To Take ‘Pound Of Flesh’ From Senate GOP
Jun 14th - 7:38 am
New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms is warning the Senate Republicans that passage of a same-sex marriage bill will spark primaries and risk three-way contests of the sort that resulted in Democratic wins in two upstate congressional districts.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, NYCF executive director, the Rev. Jason McGuire, and founder/lobbyist, the Rev. Duane Motley, accuse the Republicans of patronizing pro-life, pro-family voters and pledge to hold them accountable in 2012 if they cross the line the right has drawn on this issue.
The NYCF leaders say they’re alarmed by a trend to the left in the Senate majority, noting, for example, that the Republicans delivered SONDA in 2002, only provided three “no” votes in 2010 against the Dignity for All Students Act and have so far refused to put to a vote a measure to defund Planned Parenthood.
“This kind of performance does not win Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox Jewish, Tea Party or other conservative voters to the Republican Party, and has led to some of the splits the party has seen in recent years in the 23 Congressional District, the 2010 gubernatorial race and most recently the 26th Congressional District,” McGuire and Motley wrote.
“In a strange 2009 irony, it was under a Democrat-controlled State Senate, that same-sex ‘marriage’ was soundly defeated. If the bill were to pass under GOP control, there is no significant reason for conservative voters to support Republican Senate candidates in future elections.”
“Historically, one of the strengths of the Senate GOP has been its ability to stand together for the good of the conference. Whenever Republicans attempt to split the social and fiscal conservatives, there is aprice to pay. In 2012, should same-sex ‘marriage’ pass, the pound of flesh will come from the Senate majority.”
Motley and McGuire said GOP senators “can expect challenges in 2012 that will not end at the September primary” if a gay marriage bill passes this year.
Alesi To Become Gay Marriage ‘Emissary’
Jun 14th - 7:17 am
…just not when it comes to members of his own conference here at home.
Sen. Jim Alesi told me during a CapTon interview last night – his fist extended one-on-one discussion since announcing his change of heart on same-sex marriage – that he will “be an emissary at some point in the future to show that, if in fact we do pass marriage equality in New York State, you can hopefully survive a re-election bid.”
“Now that might invite those people that want to un-elect me to become more energized, but I also think that it invites people that believe in freedom and equality in this country to become energized on my behalf,” the Rochester Republican added.
In other words: Alesi is counting on the support of same-sex marriage advocates and their allies to help him with his re-election bid in 2012, assuming state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long makes good on his pledge to un-endorse any Republican who breaks with the party on this line-in-the-sand issue.
Even though Alesi insisted he is free of the “political” motivations that forced his “no” vote in 2009, this decision is hardly devoid of politics.
The senator was already in trouble at home, particularly with his local GOP leader, Assemblyman Bill Reilich, thanks to his decision to sue his own constituents over a trespassing allegation. He quickly dropped the suit after a public outcry, calling his decision “boneheaded,” but the damage had been done.
So this gay marriage gamble might hurt Alesi with the right when he runs again – and he confirmed last night he is indeed planning to do so. But perhaps it will gain him newfound support on the left.
I asked the senator if his newfound activism on this controversial topic would extend to his colleagues in the Senate majority, who have so far not opted to follow his lead and declare their willingness to vote “yes” when – and if – the bill comes to the floor. Alesi replied:
“I am not going to put any undue pressure on any of them. I will on the floor explain why I’ve voting for this, but I think by and large most of my friends on both sides of the aisle understand why I am doing it. And they should clearly understand that this is nothing more than a matter of being equal.”
Pataki Fundraising, Not Debating
Jun 13th - 11:42 am
A reader forwarded over an invite emailed out last week by former First Lady Libby Pataki, inviting supporters to a birthday fundraiser for her husband, former Gov. George Pataki, next Tuesday at the Water Club in Manhattan.
Technically speaking, the event is being hosted by the former governor’s new PAC, No American Debt. Tickets for the reception are $250 per person and $400 per couple, while a host committee dinner will set donors back $5,000 a pop.
The event is being held to celebrate George Pataki’s birthday (he’s turning 66 on June 24). The PAC is the latest in a series of vehicles the ex-governor has used to keep his hand in the national political mix as he continues to eye another potential White House bid.
Last year, Pataki used a different PAC, Revere America, to raise cash and fund ads in his home state of New York and several key presidential primary states – particularly New Hampshire – in opposition to candidates who supported the health care reform law.
Pataki left Revere America in February and started the PAC when it became clear that debt would be a top focus of the 2011-2012 debate.
The former governor is not among the seven would-be GOP presidential hopefuls squaring off tonight in the Granite State. But he said in a New Hampshire Union Leader OpEd last week that he will be “listening for specifics” from candidates on how to address the debt crisis.
Dems Take On Doheny, Early
Jun 10th - 1:28 pm
U.S. Rep. Bill Owens isn’t up for re-election for another year and a half, but New York state Democrats are already sharpening their knives against his possible Republican challenger Matt Doheny.
Doheny, who wants a re-match against Owens in 2012 for the North Country congressional district, is yet to take a position on the controversial budget plan proposed by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, which supports long-term cuts to Medicare.
From the New York Democratic Party:
“Matt Doheny has decided to run for Congress but has so far refused to tell the voters where he stands on Washington Republicans’ signature issue, Congressman Paul Ryan’s Republican budget plan which passed the House with nearly unanimous Republican support.”
Owens was something of an anamoly in 2010, a big year for the GOP, in which he won a full term after replacing Republican John McHugh, who joined the Obama administration after several upstate Democrats in neighboring districts were swept out of office.
As Maury Thompson at The Post-Star reported today, Doheny may face a challenge for the Republican nod in the 23rd CD from Kelly Eustis a 23-year-old political consultant from Washington County (Eustis turns 25 just before the election, the minimum age to become a member of the House).
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