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Senate Dems Leave Incumbents To Fight It Out Alone
May 10th - 8:42 am
ICYMI: Sen. Liz Krueger told me on CapTon last night that the cash-strapped DSCC is unlikely to assist conference members who are facing primary challenges from fellow Democrats, saying the democratic process needs to be allowed to play out.
That’s a stark difference from the well-funded Senate GOP, whose leader, Sen. Dean Skelos, has pledged to assist majority members like Sens. Roy McDonald and Mark Grisanti, for example, who are facing tough challenges from fellow Republicans.
Of course, with close to $5 million on hand in their regular campaign committee and housekeeping account, the Republicans can afford to be generous with their colleagues.
The Democrats, who continue to insist they have a shot at winning back the majority this fall despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s approval of a gerrymandered redistricting map that benefits the GOP, remain more than $1 million in debt from the 2010 elections in which they lost control of the chamber.
Krueger used to have a hand in fundraising for the DSCC, but now is focused on raising money for her own PAC – No Bad Apples – which supports reform-minded Democrats.
She backed Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s successful 2010 primary challenge to ex-Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr., for example.
Rivera now faces a primary challenge of his own, but Krueger didn’t mention (nor did I ask her) if she’ll be helping Rivera, should he need it.
My discussion with Krueger came on the heels of a CapTon appearance by Albany County Legislature Chairman Shawn Morse, who has launched a primary against Sen. Neil Breslin.
Morse again would not commit to supporting Senate Minority Leader John Sampson for majority leader if he’s elected and the Democrats re-take control of the chamber.
But Morse also stressed that he’s a Democrat and won’t back a Republican in a leadership fight.
“My understanding is that the Democratic Campaign Committee is not getting involved with primaries,” Krueger said. “Obviously, you would need to officially ask Mike Gianaris, the chair of DSCC.”
“I think that Neil Breslin is an extraordinary senator, and I am proud to serve with him. He’s had primaries before, and he has remained in the Senate. And I think he is going to work very hard to make sure that he holds his seat.”
“But as to whether the Senate campaign committee gets involved, my guy and knowledge tell me no, which doesn’t mean that individual senators and elected officials might not choose to help Neil if they see that he is in need of assistance.”
A number of Democrats – including Gianaris himself – have very healthy campaign committee balances, and could send cash Breslin’s way if necessary. As of mid-January, Breslin had $107,853 on hand.
I asked Krueger why she thinks we’re seeing so many intra-party battles on both sides of the aisle at the national and state levels this year. She responded: “Well, I think it’s called democracy.”
Hein Sides With Zalis In Ulster County Summer Camp War
May 9th - 7:03 pm
Ulster County Executive Mike Hein has chosen sides in the Satmar summer camp war, issuing permits to the Williamsburg, Brooklyn faction to operate four facilities this summer.
Hein’s decision benefits the downstate community led by Zalman Teitelbaum (AKA: the Zalis), who had some very powerful Democrats carrying their water in this fight.
Chief among them was Assemblyman/Brooklyn Democratic Chairman Vito Lopez, who enlisted the support of NYC Councilmen Eric Dilan and Stephen Levin, Assemblymen Rafael Espinal and Joseph Lenthol and Sen. Martin Dilan.
The losers in this fight are the followers of Zalman’s brother, Aaron (AKA: the Aaronies), who is based in the village of Kiryas Joel in Orange County. The Aaronies rabbi, if you will, was Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who is a longtime political enemy of Lopez and is locked in a primary with NYC Councilman Dilan, who, along with his senator father, is an ally of the Brooklyn Democratic chairman.
The argument over the summer camps turned into a proxy battle between Velazquez and Dilan. The two Democrats are vying for the support in the June 26 primary of the Satmar community, which tends to vote in a bloc. Some reports have pegged the number of votes at stake in the neighborhood of 8,000.
Hein decided to err on the side of tradition here.
For years, the Zalis controlled the camps, which serve about 3,500 to 3,800 children, enabling them to get away from the sweltering city and enjoy summer in the Catskills. Usually, their mothers and younger sibilings are not too far away, summering in bungalow colonies where they are joined by the Satmar fathers on the weekends.
This year, the Aaronies sought permits to operate the camps, making them an extension of a long-simmering legal battle over everything the Satmar community controls. The Aaronies had advocated for splitting the camps, allowing each side to run two of them. Velazquez favored a “a fair, equitable solution,” but Hein opted to award all four camps to the Zalis.
Needless to say, the Zalis are very pleased. I just learned of Hein’s decision through a press release from consultant (and Orthodox Jewish Rabbi) Hank Sheinkopf’s firm, which included the following quote from Rabbi Issac Mandel, executive director of the United Talmudic Academy:
“County Executive Michael Hein did what was right for thousands of children. We are very grateful for his rightful decision to issue the permits that allow our youth to have the wonderful summer they deserve.”
“We want to thank the politicians for their diligent work bringing the community together on this issue. The camps will be run the way they always have been, by the people who have always run them. We’re currently in the process of making sure that as many children can attend the camps as possible.”
There’s also this from Lopez:
“It was an honor to be able to help resolve an issue that could have prevented thousands of children from having a great camp experience. I’m very happy we were able to defend the right of these camps to operate the way they have for decades, which will give so many children a wonderful summer.”
Schumer For Stavisky, Gillibrand For Murphy
May 9th - 1:28 pm
The state’s two US senators are busy doling out endorsements today, with both Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand annointing fellow Democrats running in potentially difficult races.
Schumer, as reported yesterday by City & State, is lending his support to Queens Democratic Sen. Toby Stavisky, who was drawn by the Democrats into a primary with her colleague, Sen. Tony Avella, and so has opted to run in the new Asian-majority district instead.
And Democratic newcomer Mark Murphy announced he has landed the support of Gillibrand in his quest to oust, as he put it, “scandal-plagued” incumbent Republican Rep. Michael Grimm.
“Mark Murphy will bring a much-needed fresh perspective to Washington, set aside petty partisan bickering and deliver substantial and long-lasting results on behalf of New Yorkers who work for a living,” Gillibrand said in a statement released by Murphy’s campaign.
“Mark will ensure the U.S. House of Representatives keeps its eye on what matters – putting Americans back to work, protecting Medicare and Social Security for senior citizens, and helping the nation’s middle class regain lost ground. Mark Murphy has the right priorities and the courage to fight for them. I am proud to support his campaign for U.S. Congress.”
Although Grimm has been dogged by allegations of fundraising impropriety, (which he has repeatedly denied), he has the power of incumbency on his side. The district is Democrat-dominated, however, and has changed hands several times over the past several years.
Felder’s Ferocious Fundraising (Updatedx2)
May 8th - 7:48 am
Ever since his low-key announcement last month that he’ll run for Senate this fall in the new so-called “super Jewish” district, Simcha Felder has focused on fundraising in hopes of putting up a big enough number come July to scare off any would-be opponents.
Over the last week alone, Felder, who took time off his job as a deputy in NYC Comptroller John Liu’s office to focus on shaking the money trees, received pledges and checks for some $200,000, according to a source familiar with his efforts.
Combined with the $300,000 and change he’s already got in the bank, that brings Felder’s total within spitting distance of the half million mark. And that will only likely grow by the time the July 15 filing is due at the state Board of Elections.
Below is a copy of an opinion obtained in March by Felder’s campaign attorney, Leo Glickman, from the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board that indicates the former NYC councilman is not prohibited from raising campaign cash (on his own time) for a state or federal office the way he would be if he were running for another city post.
Felder’s candidacy has generated a lot of interest because he has been coy about who he’ll support for leader in the event of another closely divided Senate chamber. Officially speaking, Felder says he’ll work with whoever will most help his district.
But City&State has reported while Felder would likely caucus with his fellow Democrats, he would also probably cast a tie-breaking vote – if necessary – for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos over Minority Leader John Sampson.
UPDATE: An astute (GOP) reader notes the tie-breaking issue is moot, thanks to the state’s highest court, which upheld the creation of a 63rd seat.
UPDATE2: Writes a (Democratic) reader: “If without Felder it is 31 to 31, then Felder indeed does have the tie-breaking vote.” The possibility of that seems slim though, thanks to the four-member IDC, which could side with Skelos if the choice is between him and Sampson. Sen. Jeff Klein has made it pretty darn clear he won’t ever back Sampson as majority leader again.
It has also been reported that Skelos will back – most likely tacitly from behind the scenes – Felder over any other Republicans in the race, if any should actually declare once they realize the lack of support for their candidacies.
So far, Felder is the only formally announced candidate running.
But businessman Nachman Caller has expressed interest in running on the GOP line and said (through an advisor) that he’ll seed his campaign with $100,000 of his own cash.
There’s also the question of what David Storobin will do after a victor is finally declared in the too-close-to-call race in which he is battling Democratic NYC Councilman Lew Fidler for ex-Sen. Carl Kruger’s old seat.
Super PAC Backs Espaillat vs. Rangel
May 8th - 7:23 am
After mulling the race for some time, the Campaign for Primary Accountability, a big-spending anti-incumbent super-PAC, has finally pulled the trigger on the 13th CD primary battle, opting to help Sen. Adriano Espaillat in his quest to oust veteran Rep. Charlie Rangel.
“Senator Espaillat’s solid record and proven popular support make him a strong, credible challenger who will work for the people of his district when he goes to Congress,” the Houston-based PAC declared in a press release that will be sent out this morning.
“Adriano Espaillat represents a new generation and brings a fresh perspective sorely needed in Washington.”
“Charlie Rangel has sadly become the model of how some long-term incumbents become too comfortable with the special interests that infest Washington.”
“As chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Rangel was responsible for extending the notorious tax break that allowed GE to pay zero taxes on billions of dollars of profits.”
The CPA has had success in ousting (or scaring off) incumbents in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, routinely dropping six figures to assist its candidates of choice.
CPA is reportedly funded by a handful of Texas conservatives and at least one corporation with a rather shadowy history.
The PAC’s goal is to bring “fresh blood” to Congress, and it picks its targets based on their length of service and potential vulnerability, not party affiliation, according to CPA spokesman, Curtis Ellis, (whose name you might recall from his longtime association with perennial WNY candidate and millionaire businessman Jack Davis).
Ellis would not say how much CPA might spend to help Espaillat, but he did acknowledge the NYC media market tends to be more costly than elsewhere in the country.
In other words, expect ads on cable and targeted mailers, not massive air buys, which would likely be ineffective in a House race anyway.
Cuomo Raises For Assembly Dems
May 7th - 11:07 am
A reader forwarded this invite to an upcoming fundraiser that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will headline to benefit the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee.
The May 19 29 event will take place at the swanky Plaza Hotel in NYC. Tickets range from $1,000 a head to $25,000 for VIP sponsors.
This is a fascinating development on so many levels.
The first: After all the talk during the 2010 campaign of potential friction between powerful Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Cuomo, the two have managed to hammer out a fairly functional working relationship.
Also, this has to sting for the Senate Democrats, to whom Cuomo has not only refused to commit to supporting in their quest to win back the majority this fall, but arguably has actively screwed by working closely with the Senate Republicans and signing their gerrymandered redistricting plan into law.
A source familiar with the governor’s schedule says there’s no immediate plan for him to host a similar fundraiser for the DSCC.
Every time he’s asked about whether he’ll be backing his fellow Democrats in the Senate, Cuomo has said there’s a time for politics and a time for governing. The political time, he says, comes after the legislative session is over.
Well, the session’s not technically over until June 21, and this DACC fundraiser is taking place a month before then.
Just saying.
ALSO: Nick Reisman reminds me of the dust-up between Cuomo and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb during which, according to Kolb, the governor threatened to “go after” Assembly Republicans if they didn’t vote “yes” on last December’s tax code reform.
Six Assembly Republicans eventually voted against the bill, along with two Democrats. Cuomo insisted the story about his strong-arming was inaccurate.
‘War On Women’ Trickles Down To Albany
May 7th - 10:42 am
Senate Democrats later today will blast out an appeal to supporters trying to tie the GOP conference to the national debate over the so-called “war on women” — a move that’s aimed at revving up their party’s base.
The email notes the letter seven female state senators mailed to Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos last week pushing him to consider bills on equal pay, abortion rights and domestic abuse.
The “Dear Friend” letter also name-checks the Democratic bogeyman, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, for repealing that state’s pay equity law, along with the tea party (which, not for nothing, polls terribly in New York).
From the letter:
New York has historically been a leader for progressive ideals and there is no place for the radical Tea Party agenda that would see our state reverse course. We’ll be continuing to press the Republicans on these critical issues because we cannot allow our hard-earned rights to slip away due to political partisanship.
Recipients are urged to sign a petition on the issue.
Democrats have used a variety of parliamentary maneuvers this year to highlight their support of reproductive and contraceptive rights in an effort to highlight Republican discomfort with the issue.
Senate Republicans have tried to stick to a very tight script of focusing on job creation and lowering taxes, while also aligning themselves with popular Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Democrats have tried to draw a sharp contrast by championing liberal policy issues on hydrofracking and minimum wage.
Here’s the full letter: More >
Linares Going ‘All The Way’ In Senate Run
May 7th - 7:46 am
I spoke briefly last night to Assemblyman Guillermo Linares after he sent out a statement formally announcing his long-speculated run for Sen. Adriano Espaillat’s upper Manhattan seat.
When I asked if he planned to stay in the race regardless of the outcome of Espaillat’s primary challenge to Rep. Charlie Rangel, Linares assured me – twice – that he’s in “all the way” to the end of the campaign.
In other words, even if Espaillat fails to oust Rangel and takes advantage of the fact that the Legislature hasn’t changed the state primary date (Sept. 11) to coincide with the federal primary date (Jun 26) to seek re-election to his current seat, Linares plans to run.
That’s a gamble for Linares, because he could find himself out of a job come September if he fails to win the Senate primary.
Again, thanks to the Senate GOP’s unwillingness to go along with the Assembly Democrats’ desire to change the state primary date, Linares has no fallback and must give up his current seat to run for higher office.
Espaillat vs. Linares would surely be a grudge match between two longtime frenemies. (I believe they’re currently in an off cycle in their on-again/off-again relationship).
Espaillat hasn’t yet pledged not to exploit that primary loophole if he loses his bid against Rangel.
His 2010 rival, District Leader and Barack Obama Democratic Club founder Mark Levine, appears to be the senator’s pick to succeed him in the Senate should he move on to the House.
There is widespread speculation that Levine would step aside is Espaillat wants to run for his old seat. But if he didn’t, there would be a three-way battle for it between Levine, Espaillat and Linares – a potentially ugly situation that would likely benefit the incumbent.
Levine has a back-up plan. In February, he created a campaign committee to raise money for a 2013 potential bid for term-limited NYC Councilman Robert Jackson’s seat. (A number of people are apparently eyeing that seat, and Jackson is preparing for a Manhattan BP run that year).
I asked Linares if he plans to endorse Rangel. He side-stepped that question, saying he’s currently focused on his own race.
Brief history:
Linares, a former Bloomberg administration official, is currently holding Espaillat’s old Assembly seat. Espaillat is currently holding AG Eric Schneiderman’s old Senate seat. Linares challenged Schneiderman in 2002 when the district was redrawn to be more Latino, and lost.
Monserrate’s Plea Agreement
May 4th - 4:29 pm
Former Sen. Hiram Monserrate plead guilty today in federal court to two counts of public corruption that he used his funds steered to a Queens community group to fund his 2006 run for Senate.
Monserrate, a Queens Democrat expelled from the Senate following a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a fight with his girlfriend, admitted to using $109,000 in city money earmarked for Latino Initiative for Better Resources and Empowerment, Inc. in his city council district.
He pleaded to one count of mail fraud and an additional county of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. He faces 21 to 27 months in prison and will be sentenced on Sept. 14. He could also pay a fine of up to $50,000, according to the plea agreement.
Our NY1 colleague Zack Fink, who has at the court proceedings today, reports that Monserrate did not make any formal statements.
The guilty plea is yet another victory for U.S. Attorney Preet Bhara, who has made a point of pursuing public corruption cases, especially those that involve current and former Albany politicians.
“Sadly, Monserrate took money out of the pockets of needy people to fund his own political career,” Bhara said in a statement. “We will continue to pursue and prosecute elected officials who foolishly think that they can corruptly use public money for their own benefit.”
Slaughter Out Of Hospital, Dr. Says Healing ‘Progressing Well’
May 4th - 3:36 pm
One month after she broke her leg in New York City, Rep. Louise Slaughter has been released from the hospital, although she will continue her intensive physical therapy schedule in Rochester for an undisclosed period before returning to Washington, D.C.
“I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their well wishes for my quick and complete recovery,” the 82-year-old Democrat said in a statement released by her office. “The outpouring of support has been truly humbling and has been a major motivation for me to work as hard as necessary to get back on my feet.”
“My service to the people of my District has continued during my rehabilitation. Over the course of the last week, I gave video remarks at a major manufacturing conference, introduced trade legislation to support local workers and secured nearly $500,000 in federal grants for Community Health Centers in Rochester.”
“I also cannot say enough about the wonderful care that I have received from the medical professionals at Strong Memorial Hospital. These dedicated men and women – doctors, nurses, physical therapists, rehab specialists and support staff – have provided me with a level of care that is unmatched anywhere else in the nation.”
“I am deeply grateful for their support and assistance and wish to thank them from the bottom of my heart. Thank goodness for the great staff at the rehabilitation center and my Blackberry – I couldn’t have done my job well without both!”
Slaughter gave a special shout-out to the nursing staff at URMC, where she was transferred several days after her accident, noting she is co-sponsoring a resolution recognizing May 6-12 as National Nurses Week.
The congresswoman’s orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen I. Kates, said her recovery is going as planned. He did not provide a timeline for when Slaughter will have her cast removed and be able to walk unaided, but did suggest she will be able to maintain her pledge to hew to a rigorous re-election campaign schedule as she battles her Republican opponent, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.
“Congresswoman Slaughter has been progressing well with her healing,” Kates said. “She’s following the normal expected course for someone with this kind of fracture. I expect she will make a full recovery and be able to not only serve our country but campaign as she plans.”
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