| The biggest news item of the week was Joe Bruno's retirement from the Senate. That left his 43rd Senate District seat open, which has already garnered interest from a number of people on both sides of the aisle.
First, the Democratic side. Brian Premo has been a candidate and was going to challenge Bruno regardless. But with Bruno's retirement comes a few names being tossed around. According to sources with knowledge of the situation in SD-43, former Saratoga Springs Mayor Val Keehn is gathering signatures and prepping for a primary bid against Premo. Also, Saratoga County Supervisor Joanne Yepsen is being mentioned as a possible candidate who is considering a run. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand staffer Mike Russo is also considering a run.
On the Republican side, the Times-Union has the situation covered:
Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino, a Republican who had been considering running to succeed retiring Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno in his seat representing the 43rd Senate District, says she will not run.
On Monday, Bruno made the surprise announcement that he was stepping down this week as majority leader and would not run in November for another 2-year term. Attorney Brian Premo of Rensselaer County already was running on the Democratic line, and Assemblyman Roy McDonald of Saratoga County was the first Republican to be mentioned as a likely candidate.
Jimino, who served as Troy city manager, Troy budget director and a Rensselaer County legislator before running for county executive, also has worked on the Senate's fiscal staff.
It looks as though Republican Assemblyman Roy McDonald will be a candidate, at least a possible candidate.
Things are taking shape. The Democratic field will probably be more interesting, considering the names already being tossed around as possible contenders. |
