Daily Campaign Roundup: DSCC Posts Record Fundraising Numbers
By Mike Connery on 07/15/2010 @ 03:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. DSCC announces record fundraising haul. POLITICO profiles the 10 Democratic candidates, declares 2010 "Year of the Woman.' New Siena poll spells more trouble for Senate GOP. Democratic Candidate David Mejias running strong on Long Island. Democratic Candidate Susan Savage outraises opponent by almost 2-1 margin since declaring candidacy. Westchester business group withdraws endorsements for local Republicans.
- Senate Democrats announce record fundraising numbers - We at the DSCC filed stellar fundraising numbers today - which The New York Times CityBlog described by saying "Senate Democrats Flush With Campaign Money". Capital Confidential said "we are rolling in it." We raised a historic $3.5 million during the first six months of the year, while spending less than $2 million. We now have $3.5 million in cash on hand - more than twice the amount of money we had at this point two years ago, when we went on to pick up two seats in the November elections and take control of the Senate for the first time in decades. “We are raising more money than ever before, competing in more regions of the state than ever before, and engaging with campaigns earlier than ever before. That’s why, in November, Democrats will win more seats than ever before,” said Sen. Jeff Klein, DSCC chair. “Today’s filing clearly shows that New Yorkers recognize that we have begun the work of putting government back in the hands of the people.”
- 'Year of the Woman' Hits New York - Maggie Haberman of POLITICO coined 2010 the 'Year of the Woman' in an extensive piece earlier today that hailed our "unprecedented slate of 10 female hopefuls... in districts ranging from swing-county Suffolk in Long Island to more rural areas of upstate New York." She quotes Democratic Candidate Susan Savage, who is running against 34-year incumbent Hugh Farley as saying: "I think we're not going to change Albany until we change the people that we send to Albany. "Many of these incumbents have been there a very long time ... I really do understand that there's a lot that needs to be accomplished and it's very hard to do that with the group of people that are in the Senate now." Haberman also pointed out that the Senate GOP are fielding just two women, one of whom is in a contentious primary battle.
- Siena Poll spells trouble for the Senate GOP - Siena released its most recent election poll earlier this morning, showing that less than one in four voters want a Republican Senate, and 69% of voters preferring the existing or an enlarged Democratic majority. In upstate New York - where Republicans sit in most of the Senate seats - just 26% of those polled wanted Republican control of the Senate, as opposed to the 68% who favored Democratic control. Voters upstate are far more pessimistic about the direction of the state - with 86% saying we are on the wrong track - and more likely to vote their incumbent Senator out of office. This is the just the latest in a series of polls that have consistently indicated trouble for Republicans and their electoral prospects this November.
- Democratic Candidate Dave Mejias running strong against Albany dysfunction - Former Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias , who is running agsinst 21-year Republican incumbent Kemp Hannon, announced today he has raised $116,925 and has $112,921 cash on hand. Mejias also released a campaign kick-off video, in which he denounced the dysfunction in Albany. “I am grateful to all those who are supporting my campaign to clean up the most dysfunctional state government in America,” Mejias said in a press release. “I’m especially proud of those grassroots supporters who have given what they could afford because they believe I am the best candidate to fix our broken government.”
- Democratic Candidate Susan Savage's fundraising efforts are solid - Susan Savage, running against 34-year Republican incumbent Hugh Farley, reported today that she raised more than $75,000 for her campaign -- almost twice what Farley reported raising over the same time period. Savage said that if we want to change Albany, we have to change who we send to Albany. This filing is a clear sign that the people of New York agree," said Doug Forand, one of Savage's campaign advisers.
- Westchester business group retracts Republican endorsements in state senate races - A Westchester County business group backed off supporting three Republican candidates for state senate after some members expressed alarm over the sudden foray into partisan politics. The Business Council of Westchester offered an apology to its members and retracted a June 28 letter that touted meetings with Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, provided de facto endorsements in three races and called on members to "join the $99 club" by anonymously donating money to these campaigns. Council President and CEO Marsha Gordon, in an e-mail to members, apologized "for deviating from our tradition of being nonpartisan" and promised to return any checks.
Daily Campaign Roundup: Savage Stands With Nurses As SRCC Stands With Paladino
By Mike Connery on 07/08/2010 @ 03:46 PM
TODAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news. Democratic Candidate Susan Savage pickets with nurses demanding a fair contract. SRCC Chair shows desperation, set to appear with Carl Paladino. Sen. Craig Johnson gets support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
- Democratic Candidate Susan Savage stands with nurses in demanding fair contract – Savage, running against 34-year Republican incumbent Hugh Farley, walked a picket line with nurses in her district who are seeking a new contract. The nurses are asking for, and have so far been denied, a combination of fair wages, health care benefits, and nursing ratios.
- SRCC chair Tom Libous teaming up with Carl Paladino – Libous, chair of the SRCC, will appear at a Tea Party event tomorrow with multi-millionaire turncoat Carl Paladino. Libous and Senate Republicans must be desperate to court Paladino, who is still petitioning to get the GOP gubernatorial nomination (despite having been rejected by the party at their nominating convention) and is using his cash to create his own political party in an apparent attempt to siphon support away from the GOP.
- Sen. Craig Johnson gets support of Mayor Michael Bloomberg – Mayor Bloomberg is lending his name to a fundraiser next Monday to support Sen. Johnson. Mayor Bloomberg had pledged to help legislators who lead on issues of great importance to him. Charter schools are such an issue for the Mayor, and Sen. Johnson has been a fierce proponent of charter schools at the state level.
Change Albany Now: Senate Class of 2010
By Mike Connery on 05/26/2010 @ 05:01 PM
Earlier today at the State Party Convention, Senator Sampson introduced the Democratic Party, and all of New York, to the Senate Class of 2010. You can read his full remarks here (video coming soon).
As Senator Sampson noted in his address, these are the women and men in whom we are investing our hopes for the future. They are challenging Republican incumbents across New York State - from Monroe County all the way out to the tip of Long Island. They are running to Change Albany Now. But they need your help.
They need your help to get our candidates on the ballot. They need your help to staff the phone banks and stuff the mailers. They need your help to knock on doors and rally Democrats around this state.
And with your help, they'll win in November and bring real change to Albany.
Meet the Democratic Senate Class of 2010, and listen to their vision for a reformed New York. Then go out into your districts, recruit your friends and family, and help make that vision a reality.
Press Roundup - Susan Savage for Senate
By Mike Connery on 05/24/2010 @ 09:30 AM
It's been a decade since Hugh Farley received a serious challenge. Susan Savage put an end to that streak yesterday with the launch of her campaign to unseat the 18 year incumbent.
Farley was quoted in the press as saying he'll have to "run harder than [he's] ever had to run in his life." And he's right. As last month's Quinnipiac poll showed, anti incumbent sentiment is highest among upstate Republican voters, the very same people Farley will need if he hopes to keep his seat.
Savage's campaign is already starting to receive some good press from the announcement. Here's a quick roundup:
- Albany Times Union - Savage Making Bid to Unseat Farley
- Albany Times Union - Farley: "I'm Going to Run Harder Than I Ever Have in My Life
- YNN Capitol Tonight - Savage for Senate
- Fox 23 - Susan Savage Announces Run for State Senate
- News 10 - Schenectady County's Savage to Challenge Farley for Senate Seat
Susan Savage to Challenge Hugh Farley
By Mike Connery on 05/23/2010 @ 04:30 PM
Earlier today, Schenectady County Legislature Chairperson Susan Savage announced her intention to challenge Sen. Hugh Farley for the 44th Senate District seat.
In the County Legislature, Savage brought millions of dollars to the local economy and created thousands of jobs, all while saving taxpayer dollars. Her tenure is a genuine economic success story for upstate New York. It's that type of sound management she'll bring to Albany as a Senator.
Here's the full release from her campaign:
Susan Savage To Run For State Senate in 44th District
Schenectady County Chair To Take Economic Recovery Record To State LegislatureSchenectady County Legislature Chair Susan Savage today formally announced her decision to run for the State Senate in the 44th District, citing public frustration with the historic failures of Albany and the need for a new approach and effective representation. Savage, who helped make Schenectady a symbol of Upstate resurgence, said she wants to use that record of accomplishment to help fix Albany.
“We are all frustrated with Albany, and we have a right to be,” said Savage. “But we also have a responsibility to improve it. Just as I helped turn around Schenectady County, I will work every day to turn around Albany and the entire state. We know how we can work together to spur economic recovery, create jobs and get a government we are proud of again. We did it here, we can do it there.”
In 2004, Susan Savage became the Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature after years of local Republican dominance and failed leadership. At the time, the City of Schenectady was hurting and the county was economically stagnant. Savage brought a new perspective and a new direction to the City and the County, with the mantra “working together works. “ The results are clear.
Since she became county legislative chair, Savage restructured and streamlined county economic development. She helped bring $400 million and created 3300 jobs. Her efforts have led to a revitalized downtown Schenectady and expanded suburban industrial parks in Rotterdam and Glenville. Savage’s new perspective also fostered cooperation between county and local government, saving taxpayer money.
“Six years ago, the people of Schenectady County were frustrated with their county government, and they gave me a chance to find solutions,” said Savage. “And find solutions we did. Today, all you have to do is drive through the city of Schenectady to see, hear and feel the difference. We are rightly proud of what we have accomplished here, and there is no reason why this example cannot be used to turn around our entire region and our state.”
Her approach and success have resulted in a resurgent economy that is a model in upstate New York. Now, Savage is ready to bring her new perspective and new ideas to Albany.
“The people of this region and this state want a new approach and proven leadership,” said Savage. “I am ready to bring my record and my solutions to the Senate, to help create jobs and finally turn our state economy around. Working together, we can do it.”
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