A new campaign flier that pairs O'Connell with Balboni, the district's former Republican senator who resigned to become the state's homeland security chief, hit mailboxes Friday.
It features a photo of bin Laden and states, "As long as New York and Tel Aviv are targets for terrorists, we need Maureen O'Connell protecting us in the Senate." Inside, there is a photo of O'Connell next to Balboni in front of a mock-up of the state Homeland Security seal.
Balboni said he has not endorsed any candidate and was not aware of the mailing. "To the extent that it implies that there is a governmental agency supporting the candidacy of anybody, that is incorrect and inappropriate," he said.
State homeland security office spokesman Dennis Michalski added in a statement, "It is completely inappropriate for a political candidate to use a falsified state seal in the context of a political campaign."
National Jewish Democratic Council also blasted the mailing. "This is a desperate and shameful attempt to try to use Israel as a wedge issue," said deputy executive director David Goldenberg.
Nice.
