| Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello officially announced her candidacy today for the 61st Senate District seat currently occupied by Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Williamsville).
Iannello announced today in front of the Kenmore Municipal Building. Iannello, who formerly served on the Kenmore Village Board of Trustees, stated the focus of her campaign at the announcement.
"Taxes, healthcare costs and energy prices are skyrocketing; all while high paying jobs are leaving the area. I am running because the working families of Western New York can't afford politics as usual in Albany anymore," Iannello told the crowd.
Iannello spoke about how her experience both in the private and public sector would benefit her and her constituents in the state senate. Iannello also spoke about the need to reform state government, reduce taxes, make healthcare more affordable and accessible, control runaway energy costs and create and protect high paying jobs.
Iannello, a Democrat, is seeking the endorsement of the Democratic Party as well as the from the Independence Party and the Working Families Party.
"What I will bring to the Senate is a proven record of fighting for change and defending the middle class," Iannello explained.
Also, professional boxer and possible SD-61 Democratic candidate Joe Mesi added Michael Marcy to his exploratory staff. Mesi, who is expected to announce his candidacy next weekend, has brought Marcy aboard to serve as the director of his exploratory committee. Marcy previously served in the Clinton White House and under Sen. Chuck Schumer. More recently, he has served as chief of staff to Rep. Anthony Weiner from New York's 9th congressional district.
Dan Ward, who is also in the race in SD-61 for the Democratic nomination, conducted an interview with me the day the Eliot Spitzer scandal broke. I've also interviewed Iannello and will be interviewing Mesi this week. Due to all these scandals (first Spitzer, then Paterson) I decided to wait to give these candidates the right spotlight. On Monday, I will be posting my interview with Ward and on Tuesday, I will be posting my interview with Iannello. I will post the Mesi interview by the end of the week. |
