Greg Ball: "I Am The Malcolm X"
By Mike Connery on 10/28/2010 @ 04:34 PM
DAILY CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP … Our daily roundup of campaign news.- Fairness Panel Rules Ball Campaign Mailer Mostly Misleading - Once again the Fair Campaign Practices Committee has ruled against Greg Ball for lying in his campaign literature.
- I Am The Malcolm X - Greg Ball, the "Carl Paladino" of the Hudson Valley, can now boast a new name. Mike Kaplowitz's tracker caught the controversial assemblyman comparing himself to Malcolm X.
- Gillibrand for Kaplowitz - Senator Gillibrand endorses Mike Kaplowitz in his race against Greg Ball.
- Tony Avella Slams Frank Padavan on Women's Issues - Frank Padavan has been a disaster for women in Queens, and Tony Avella is bringing that issue to the fore of his campaign.
- Patty Ritchie Ignores AARP - In what has become standard procedure, Patty Ritchie is again ducking constituents - this time seniors.
- Candidates, Parties Pour $2million into 49th - The race between Dave Valesky and Andrew Russo is getting expensive.
- McDonald Takes Cash from Downstate Bosses He Rails Against - Joanne Yepsen's campaign is pointing out that Senator Roy McDonald has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from downstate bosses.
- An Interview with Jeff Klein - Our Deputy Majority Leader and DSCC Chair sits down for an interview with one of his local papers.
- Carlucci Pushes Strong Ethics Reform - In a new Op-Ed, David Carlucci pushes for strong ethics reform and property tax caps.
Campaign Roundup: Greg Ball Caught Lying by NY Times
By Mike Connery on 10/21/2010 @ 04:45 PM
DAILY CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP … Our Daily Roundup of Campaign News
- NY Times Catches Greg Ball in a Lie - An expose by the New York Times catches Greg Ball lying to voters in his most recent television ad, and outlines the many reasons Ball is not fit for public office.
- Post Messenger Endorses Mary Wilmot - Mary Wilmot picks up another big local newspaper endorsement. The Post-Messenger called Wilmot a "thoughtful, qualified newcomer."
- Ritchie Again Fails to Show Up for Debate - Yet again, Patty Ritchie fails to show up for a debate with Darrel Aubertine, leaving us all to wonder, where (and why) is Patty Ritchie hiding?
- Aubertine Endorsed by United Health Care Workers East - Another endorsement for Darrel Aubertine.
- NARAL Pro Choice NY Endorses Senate Democrats - NARAL reveals its endorsements for State Senate.
- Scott Vanderhoef's Connection to Albany Corruption - Vanderhoef tries to tie Carlucci to dysfunction in the legislature, but as the Albany Project ably points out, Vanderhoef has much closer ties to those who caused the dysfunction.
- Women Rally for Susan Savage - At a recent Women for Savage rally, Gail Cook of SEIU 1199 endorsed Susan Savage. Watch the video.
- Case of the Missing Education Formula - At a recent debate, Andrea Stewart-Cousins threw the book at Liam McLaughlin (literally) to put a stop to his misleading comments. Watch the Video.
- Unions Drop $200k in Support of Dems - Unions are putting money into Democratic campaigns like that of Brian Foley to bolster the chance of seeing Wall Street reform. Their first ad hits Long Island Republican Lee Zeldin.
Women for Kaplowitz Launches
By Mike Connery on 10/01/2010 @ 10:11 AM
Cross-posted from 16% and Rising.
Down in Putnam, Dutchess and Westchester Counties, issues of major importance to women have been front and center in the campaign—even though both candidates are men. Mike Kaplowitz is running on a strong platform of commitment to women’s reproductive rights and to ending pay discrimination on the basis of gender. His opponent, well, you can see for yourself some of what he stands for.
Many women in the Senate District would obviously prefer to be represented by someone who will fight for them, rather than someone who trivializes their concerns and wants to interfere in their private lives. So last weekend, 70 or more of these women held a rally to get the word out about Mike. And they’ve launched a website—Women for Kaplowitz—to keep the energy up and the focus on a candidate who will advocate for what the women of his district need. If you live nearby, check out the website and sign up to volunteer.
Campaign Roundup: Klein: We're Working with Cuomo
By Mike Connery on 09/28/2010 @ 04:45 PM
DAILY CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP . . . Our daily roundup of campaign news.- Klein: We're Coordinating with Cuomo, He's Helping - In a conference call with reporters today, New York Senate Dems Chair Jeff Klein discussed what it will take to grow the Democratic Majority. Klein sited a need to "localize" races, and working with Andrew Cuomo's campaign on a joint field effort.
- Ball Fails to Show for Debate Schedule - Plan Putnam reports that Assemblyman Greg Ball failed to show up at a scheduled meeting to negotiate the details of seven public debates agreed to by his campaign and that of his opponent Mike Kaplowitz. This is not the first time Ball has been declared MIA in the district.
- Republican vote to split three ways in November: Appleton endorsed by Democracy For America : In SD-59, the State Supreme Court reinstated David DiPietro's name on the Tea Party line, bringing the number of GOP candidates in the race to three. That could spell good news for Democrat Cynthia Appleton, whose campaign was recently endorsed by Democracy For America.
- Eye on Albany Spotlight: Senator David Valesky, 49th Senate District - Eye on Albany finishes a lengthy interview with Sen. David Valesky. Watch the 2nd and 3rd installments of this video series here.
Campaign Roundup: NYLCV Endorses Three Dem Candidates
By Mike Connery on 09/24/2010 @ 05:45 PM
DAILY CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP … Our daily roundup of campaign related news.- What Would YOU Ask Susan Savage? The Albany Project continues its series of interviews with Democratic Senate candidates. This week Susan Savage will be in the hot seat. Readers are urged to submit questions here.
- Yonkers Democratic City Committee Supports Andrea Stewart-Cousins for Re-Election: The Yonkers Democratic City Committee endorsed Andrea Stewart-Cousins today, stating “Andrea understands the real problems faced by our community and her constituents and will not stop until their issues are addressed. She is one of the most influential and respected voices of our Party and in our Legislature, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that she continues to serve as our State Senator.”
- Eye on Albany Interviews Senator Valesky: Eye on Albany releases part one of a three-part interview series with Senator David Valesky. Valesky discusses taxes and creating jobs in the 49th Senate District. Watch the Video.
- Carlucci Running on Tech Record: Politics and technology website Tech President notes that David Carlucci, the Democratic candidate to replace the late Sen. Morahan, has a track record of bringing local government into the 21st Century.
- Foley, Kaplowitz, Savage Make Conservation Voters Priority List: Three Democratic candidates for state senate made the priority list of the NY League of Conservation Voters. According to NYLCV spokesperson Dan Hendrick, “In all three [races], there are clear environmental heroes and foes. Foley’s been good on energy efficiency issues for years, and this year got the Senate to pass his updated energy code bill. Kaplowitz is a former Environment & Energy Committee Chairman of the Westchester Legislature and he helped draft and pass Westchester’s Open Space Policy; Savage has an impressive record championing green jobs/clean-tech in Schenectady.
- Pols Call For Ballot Fixes Before Elections: Joe Addabbo, Chair of the State Senate Elections Committee, will hold hearings this month to address problems encountered by voters at polling places during the recent primary elections.
- Ball v. Kaplowitz Debate Showdown: The Kaplowitz campaign has Greg Ball boxed in a corner over public debates.
- Savino Blasts Paladino For "Sly Italian References" City Hall News reports on State Senator Diane Savino's reproach of Carl Paladino for his use of offensive slurs against Italian Americans.
Kaplowitz Calls on MIA Greg Ball to Debate
By Mike Connery on 09/18/2010 @ 03:00 PM
Democratic candidate Mike Kaplowitz has challenged his opponent - Tea Party favorite Greg Ball, to seven debates on the issues facing voters in SD-40. Ball, who has been MIA on the trail of late, has yet to respond.
Watch a short video of Mike Kaplowitz issuing his debate challenge and read the letter sent to the Ball campaign below. For more information, follow coverage from Gannet.
Campaign Roundup: Kaplowitz Promotes Green Collar Jobs
By Mike Connery on 09/09/2010 @ 02:45 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Mike Kaplowitz moves green collar jobs to the top of the agenda; Greg Ball is AWOL; and two of our women candidates continue to rack up the endorsements.
- Democrat Mike Kaplowitz has a plan to bring green collar jobs to New York. According to reports from Politics on the Hudson, the plan would create 22,000 green jobs, provide up to a 30% tax credit for investments into the manufacture of clean products, and boost economic output by $20 billion.
- Where in the district is Greg Ball? Not at his own town hall forums, according to reports by North County Local. Fortunately Democrat Mike Kaplowitz has shown up in his stead to talk to local Republican voters.
- Didi Barrett received two more endorsements in her bid for the New York State Senate’s 41st district. Local 21 of the Plumbers, Steamfitters and Service Technicians Union, and the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Political Action Committee both announced their support for Barrett. “This endorsement only magnifies the impeccable record of public service and level of commitment she has displayed in the past. Her integrity, professionalism and high moral fiber are a testament to why she has maintained an unmatched level of respect amongst her peers and the community,” declared Local 21’s endorsement.
- Eleanor’s Legacy, a committee dedicated to increasing women’s roles in politics, endorsed Joanne Yepsen for State Senate. Yepsen is the ninth Democrat running for State Senate that the group has endorsed. "Each [women endorsed] is running to unseat an entrenched incumbent or to reclaim an open seat. Each [woman] promises the change to honest, effective government we need. We are proud to endorse Joanne Yepsen who encompasses these qualities,” ERLC’s President Nora Bredes said in a statement. Eleanor’s Legacy has yet to endorse a Republican for this election cycle.
Quick Hits from the Campaign Trail: Another Repub Bites the Dust, Ritchie's Resume
By Mike Connery on 04/30/2010 @ 01:16 PM
The latest news from our conference, candidates, and campaigns.
- The Democratic Rural Conference kicks-off today.
- Dale Volker is retiring. Another Republican bites the dust.
- The Buffalo News likes some of the Democrat's Sunshine reforms.
- José Peralta is demanding that all GOP Gubernatorial candidates declare that they will never impose Arizona-style immigration laws on New York.
- Joe Addabbo is promoting green savings to local businesses and community leaders.
- Is this Patty Ritchie's resume? If so, would you vote for her?
- Eric Adams is promoting veteran friendly campuses.
- Didi Barrett continues to blog at The Albany Project.
- Finally, Greg Ball has . . . well, you know.
Weekend Senate Update: Montgomery's Bill; Ball Gets Dropped; Bruno in Chains
By Mike Connery on 04/26/2010 @ 11:01 AM
Senator Joe Addabbo is hosting a hearing on campaign finance reform today from 10 - 1pm. Watch live:
- Velmanette Montgomery introduced legislation that would restore funding to successful community-based rehabilitation programs for low-risk juvenile offenders. The New York Times enthusiastically endorsed the bill in an op-ed this morning.
- Tea Bagger Greg Ball got caught lying to donors and the GOP is not happy.
- Senator Antoine Thompson hosted a jobs fair in Buffalo, and has another one in the works.
- LGBT advocate and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt endorsed the reelection of Democrat Bill Stachowski.
- Assembly Member Rory Lancman (25th Assembly District) announced his endorsement of former City Council Member Tony Avella for the New York State Senate (11th Senate District).
- Finally, the US Department of Justice filed a sentencing memo recommending that convicted felon and ex-Republican Leader Joe Bruno be locked away for more than 8 years. Read the sentencing memo here.
Quick Hits from the Trail: Tea Bagger Showdown in SD-40
By Mike Connery on 04/21/2010 @ 02:26 PM
A few quick hits from the campaign trail.
- Tea bag candidate Greg Ball picked up a primary challenger in his bid to replace Vincent Leibell in the 40th Senate District. Somers Town Supervisory Mary Beth Murphy announced that she will challenge Ball for the seat. This should be fun to watch.
- Across the aisle, Democrat Mike Kaplowitz announced his intention to run for the seat. You can read his announcement address on his site. Read press coverage of the announcement on LoHud and Mid Hudson News.
- Finally, don't forget that Didi Barrett will be guest-blogging live on The Albany Project tonight at 7pm.
Quick Hits from the Campaign Trail
By Mike Connery on 04/19/2010 @ 10:31 AM
- The Columbia Spectator reports that Sen. Bill Perkins launched his reelection campaign over the weekend in SD-30.
- Didi Barrett recapped the first week and a half of her campaign to unseat Steve Saland, and announced that she will be guest-blogging on The Albany Project on Wednesday evening.
- And on the other side of the aisle, Senator Vincent Leibell announced his candidacy for Putnam County Executive, leaving an open race in SD-40 with County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz expected to take on Tea Party candidate Greg Ball.
