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UFT Backs Meng, Rangel, Stays Out of NY-8, NY-11
May 23rd - 5:29 pm
Earlier today we looked at the ongoing race for union endorsements in the NY-6, noting that Assemblyman Rory Lancman so far was receiving the lion’s share as he hopes to position himself as the labor candidate.
Not to be outdone, rival Democrat Grace Meng today received the backing the United Federation of Teachers, New York City’s powerful teachers’ union, the organization announced late this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Rep. Charles Rangel, working to save his political life while facing a spirited challenge from state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, also received the union’s support as well (Espaillat earlier announced he had the backing of former Rep. Herman Badillo).
The UFT also endorsed a slate of incumbent city Democrats.
Still more interesting was who the union chose not to endorse. For now, no recommendation is being made in the NY-8 in Brooklyn, where Councilman Charles Barron and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries are vying to replace outgoing Rep. Ed Towns.
And the union chose not to endorse anyone in the NY-11, the Staten Island and Brooklyn district held by GOP Rep. Michael Grimm, who is considered a top Democratic target.
The union endorsements are especially valuable in low-turnout primaries, where a labor organization’s get-out-the-vote infrastructure can prove vital for a candidate.
Conservative Endorsement Looms Large in Assembly Race
May 23rd - 3:18 pm
Two Rochester area Republicans, running for the State Assembly, will formally ask for the endorsement of the Monroe County Conservative Party next week. Conservative Radio Talk Show host, Bill Nojay, and former Avon Mayor, Richard Burke, will be interviewed by local party’s committee at the Pittsford library Saturday, June 2nd.
Both Nojay and Burke are running for the 133rd Assembly seat. The seat is currently held by Republican, Sean Hanna. Hanna formally announced his candidacy in the State’s 55th Senate District earlier this month.
Burke was endorsed by the Livingston County GOP Committee last week. Nojay picked up the endorsement of the Town of Pittsford Republican Committee, and is expected to receive the backing of the Monroe County Republican Committee Thursday Night.
Never afraid to speak his mind, Monroe County Conservative Party Chairman, Tom Cook, has remained uncharacteristically tight lipped on his feeling towards both Republican Assembly Candidates.
Cook told YNN Friday he was flattered but not surprised by the high level of interest in his party’s endorsement.
“I’ve been in politics a long time and there’s one thing every candidate wants to do and that’s to win. And if we can deliver some votes and have some principles then they want our endorsement.”
Many believe Cook’s strong and repeated attacks on Republican State Senator Jim Alesi played a role in his sudden loss of support among Republican and Conservative leaders in Monroe County.
Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman, Joe Morelle, says his party has yet to find a candidate in the 133rd Assembly race. Morelle was adamant the Democrats will field a candidate, and hopes to make some decisions during the New York State Democratic Convention.
The new 133rd District includes four towns in Monroe County, all of Livingston County, and four towns in northwestern Steuben County. Monroe County represents 36 percent of the district. Livingston represents 47 percent.
Lancman Holding Off On ‘Determinative’ Endorsement For His Assembly Seat
May 23rd - 3:17 pm
Assemblyman Rory Lancman believes his nod will carry significant weight in the race for the 25th AD seat he’s vacating to run for Congress, despite the fact that its borders have changed considerably, thanks to redistricting.
But Lancman isn’t rushing to pick a favorite.
During a CapTon interview that will air tonight at 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., the Queens Democrat reaffirmed his pledge not to try to re-claim his seat if he fails to win the three-way NY-6 Democratic primary on June 26.
Lancman also declined to follow the lead of the Queens Democratic Party in endorsing Jerry Iannece as his successor, and even took a little dig at the Queens Community Board 11 chairman, who is so far the only formally announced candidate in the race.
“I will be making an endorsement in the race to succeed me in the state Assembly,” Lancman told me. “And given my background and history in the neighborhood, in the area, I think that that endorsement will be influential if not, frankly, determinative.”
But whether it’s Jerry Iannece, who people do know because he runs for office a lot, or someone else, we don’t even know who’s running yet. Petitions haven’t started to be circulated until I think the first week of June.”
“You’ll understand, and I hope your viewers will understand, my focus right now is on my race for Congress. The Assembly seat and who I’ll support will sort itself out.”
I can’t say I blame Lancman for not wanting to jump on board with county’s preferred candidate, since the party is backing Assemblywoman Grace Meng and not him in the NY-6 race.
Iannece announced his candidacy in early April. He was the first candidate to announce, but since then, Nily Rozic, chief of staff for Manhattan Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, has also registered a campaign committee to run for the seat.
Long Reacts To Giuliani Endorsement Of Turner
May 23rd - 2:40 pm
Wendy Long was appearing in the Syracuse area, speaking to republican women, when news arrived that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had endorsed her Senate primary opponent Bob Turner.
Long congratulated Turner on the endorsement, but says her endorsements across the state far outweigh the Giuliani recommendation.
“I don’t think it has an impact beyond the folks in the City, who were already big fans of Bob’s, as I am. My husband and I have supported him in his congressional run. Good for him. It was a good thing to do. I still think that Mayor Giuliani is incorrect that that translates into the probability of victory in a statewide race of this type. So, he’s entitled to his opinion. I haven’t heard the reasoning behind it. But, I certainly disagree with it.”
Syracuse Mayor Under Fire For Taking Party Post (Video Added)
May 23rd - 2:39 pm
Onondaga County’s republican chairman is critical of democratic Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner’s decision to accept the role of co-chair of the state democratic committee.
Tom Dadey says the new job will distract the mayor from work she should be doing in her full time job.
“Like a lot of other people, including her colleagues on the Common Council, her democratic colleagues on the council, there’s a bit of surprise with that. She was elected to be the full time mayor of the city of Syracuse. So, it begs the question. Is she running for re-election, or is she more concerned about politics? Is she concerned about governing and leading the city of Syracuse and doing what’s right for the taxpayers of the city of Syracuse, and doing what’s right for the residents and taxpayers in the city, or is she concerned about doing politics?”
Dadey referred to comments from the democratic majority whip of the council, Pat Hogan, who told the Syracuse Post-Standard, “It seems to me it would be a lot of work. I would have thought being mayor of Syracuse is sort of a full-time job.”
Dadey also wonders if the appointment is a signal Miner may not seek a second term. The mayor has given every indication that she does plan to run for re-election in 2013, but says an announcement of that candidacy now is “premature”.
Long Campaign On Giuliani Endorsement: How’d That Work Out For Mario?
May 23rd - 2:23 pm
In a zing-worthy statement from Wendy Long spokesman David Catalfamo, the rival Republican’s campaign questions whether former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s endorsement will do any good for Rep. Bob Turner in the U.S. Senate race.
The statement in full:
“With all due respect to the Pataki strategy, which we know a little about, you have to win the primary to win the general. Today’s endorsement doesn’t move the needle for team Turner, ask Mario Cuomo. Nor does reliance on a statistically insignificant advantage in name ID achieved primarily in an area not reflective of the larger Republican electorate. With her core Republican philosophy and the strong backing of the Conservative Party Wendy Long is clearly the best candidate to win the primary. As the only non-politician, Wendy Long is best positioned for November to reach women, Republicans, Conservatives, independents, disaffected blue collar democrats and the growing cross section of voters who want a real alternative to the Gillibrand-Obama radical policies of government intrusion.”
Catalfamo is a former Pataki communications director, hence his knoweldge of the so-called “Pataki strategy” of netting suburban swing voters in a statewide election.
This new blow up may not please state Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, who reiterated to Liz on the show last night that he wanted the three candidates in the race, including Nassau Comptroller George Maragos, to follow Reagan’s 11th Commandment.
DC37 Delegates Stick With Barron Over Jeffries
May 23rd - 2:16 pm
Members of DC 37, New York City’s largest public employee union, have upheld their executive committee’s May 22 unanimous vote of NYC Councilman Charles Barron, handing him his lone union endorsement in his Democratic primary battle with Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries in NY-8.
This is a big win for Barron, although I don’t know that I agree with his characterization of it as a “game changer.”
Because the primary is being held so early, it’s more or less tantamount to a special election, which means turnout will be low and victory will likely go to whoever has the stronger GOTV operation.
Jeffries has a long list of labor supporters, including some GOTV heavyweights like 1199 SEIU, HTC and the Working Families Party (still a considerable canvassing force, even without Data&Field Services). He’s also far better funded than Barron, and so will likely have no trouble turning out his supporters.
Then again, it’s not smart to discount Barron, who has a strong grassroots following, and came within 10 percentage points of defeating (now-retiring) Rep. Ed Towns in 2006 while running more or less on a shoestring.
Barron isn’t the only congressional primary candidate DC 37 is backing. The union also endorsed: Assemblyman Rory Lancman in NY-6, Rep. Nydia Velazquez in NY-7, Rep. Yvette Clarke in NY-9, and Rep. Charlie Rangel in NY-13.
“We have endorsed these candidates because of their record of standing by this union in our fight to protect the jobs, wages and benefits of our members and our retirees,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.
“Over the past year, city workers and their unions have had to fight major battles to protect rights that we fought hard to win as well as to preserve the vital safety-net services we provide to an ever-growing clientele. While we have always been aware of the power of our vote, in these times we are paying close attention to the need to support those who support us.”
“With DC 37’s endorsement comes a pledge to work diligently on these candidates’ behalf and to deploy a powerful, sophisticated and effective field operation in order to get out the vote,” Roberts added. “We have a proven track record of successfully supporting those candidates we have chosen to endorse.”
Pension Fund Grows Despite Market Troubles
May 23rd - 1:59 pm
The state’s Common Retirement Fund grew nearly 6 percent during the 2011-12 fiscal year even as uncertainty and volatility continue to hamper the markets, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office today announced.
The fund grew 5.96 percent and has an estimated $150.3 billion value — the highest since the economic turmoil of 2008-09, DiNapoli said.
“The financial markets took investors on an up and down ride last year, but the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s diversified investment portfolio coupled with a long term view have helped us weather these large swings,” DiNapoli said in a statement. “Over the last three years, the Fund has experienced strong gains during a period of economic instability. We remain one of strongest pension funds in the country, providing retirement security to more than one million New Yorkers.”
The pension fund has face increased scrutiny from fiscal watchdogs and the public at large for its increase cost to taxpayers and the troubles of local governments to make ends meet.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pushed to reduce the cost of state’s public pension system by successfully advocating for a new retirement level, Tier Six. The plan, which took effect in April, is estimated by the governor’s office to save $79 billion over 30 years, but not provide for immediate to local governments.
Returns for the Fund’s asset classes were:
•Domestic Equities returned 6.9 percent (at 38 percent of the Fund’s total investments)
•Fixed Income returned 9.0 percent (at 27.5 percent of the Fund)
•Non-US Equities returned -6.4 percent (at 13.6 percent of the Fund)
•Private Equity returned 8.3 percent (at 9.6 percent of the Fund)
•Real Estate returned 17.6 percent (at 6.1 percent of the Fund)
•Global Equities returned -0.5 percent (at 2.9 percent of the Fund)
•Absolute Return Strategies returned -2.4 percent (at 2 percent of the Fund)
•Opportunistic Alternatives returned 1.2 percent (at 0.3 percent of the Fund)
Cox Lays Down The Law
May 23rd - 1:52 pm
ICYMI: During out on-location CapTon last night from the Hotel Albany where we were live for the 111th Legislative Correspondents Show, state GOP Chairman Ed Cox told me (prior to his big rebuttal, in which he donned a rubber Nixon mask to hilarious effect) that he has rebuked the GOP US Senate candidates for failing to heed his call that they observe Reagan’s 11th Commandment and avoid attacking one another.
I noted that the race has taken a rather negative tone lately, thanks largely to Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, who has lashed out at both Wendy Long and Rep. Bob Turner. Cox responded:
“Every once in a while one has slipped over the line,” Cox said. “We’ve taken care of that and I think they understand what it was and I think we are going to keep on a good even keel right up until the primary.”
“…(Maragos) has said that won’t happen again and we’ll move forward. That’s the only way in this very Democratic state that we are going to win the Senate. We all work together. We have three candidates out there all shooting in their own way at Kirsten Gillibrand.”
Cox continued to insist that Gillibrand is in fact beatable, despite the fact that polls have shown her beating all three of her would-be opponents by double digits. The chairman said that’s a factor of “name recognition,” which he believes will improve after the primary for whoever emerges victorious.
(Remember, of course, that the Conservatives have backed Long, and so if she doesn’t win on June 26, there’s the possibility of a split general election ballot on the right).
Marchione To Nolan: Vote Now
May 23rd - 1:35 pm
State Senate hopeful Kathy Marchione is pressuring the Saratoga County GOP to hold a vote on formally endorsing a candidate and claims she has enough votes to win the committee’s support.
“Rank-and-file Republicans know that Roy McDonald doesn’t share our values, and they’ve stated their desire for change. They want a Senator who will keep their word on important issues. Just as importantly, they want a Senator who will challenge the status quo, not defend it,” said Marchione in a statement this afternoon. “Yet, despite this desire, the County Chairman continues to change the rules of the game, continues to delay and continues to make excuses for not having a vote. Enough is enough. Let’s vote.”
The county committee has not given a formal endorsement in the race so far and back in March declined to endorse a candidate.
Committee Chairman John “Jasper” Nolan is a stalwart supporter of former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno (whose seat McDonald now holds) and surely has some pull with the current Republican leadership in the Senate, which continues to back the incumbent.
Just days after McDonald did not net the county endorsement, an invitation to a fundraiser Skelos was holding for the lawmaker began to circulate.
McDonald is one of the four Republicans who voted in favor of same-sex marriage last June, making him a major target for conservatives angered by his vote.
Marchione has said she does not support the law and has knocked McDonald for the perceived “flip flop” after voting in favor of the measure.
Both Marchione and McDonald have ben trumpeting their support from various local GOP committees from around the sprawling district just north of Albany.
McDonald has a large campaign war chest, in part because of his same-sex marriage vote.
Marchione, the Saratoga County clerk, has touted her ability to rack up votes in past countywide elections, saying that strength will play well in a Republican primary.
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