| I'm hearing that SD-25 challenger Dan Squadron has collected over 8 thousand signatures on his petitions. Campaigns always want to get as many signatures as possible as disputing the validity of such signatures is one of the most potent and common means by which incumbents keep challengers off the ballot. This is especially true in this case, as Squadron's opponent, incumbent Dem Marty Connor, also happens to be pretty much the best election lawyer in the state of New York.
8K signatures shows some real organizational strength and competence as well as tangible support from the residents of the district. It says to me that Squadron has a real shot at this.
UPDATE: Just got an email from the campaign confirming this:
.jpg) Today, Daniel Squadron, Democratic candidate for the 25th State Senate District, filed petitions to appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary. Standing in front of the Board of Elections, he announced that his campaign collected over 8,000 signatures on individual nominating petitions - more than eight times the number (1,000) required to be placed on the ballot for the September 9th primary.
"It's wonderful to see the incredible excitement for the type of energetic representation I hope to bring this district," Squadron said. "In every neighborhood, in Brooklyn and Manhattan, people are saying the same thing: it is time to demand more."
Squadron's opponent, Martin Connor, who works part-time as an election lawyer, has knocked countless candidates off the ballot, and has pursued legal challenges against every serious opponent he has faced since 1980-from a lengthy court battle that he ultimately lost against Luis Osorio in 1992 to a residency challenge against Ken Diamondstone that was decided in Diamondstone's favor by the State's highest court.
That is why Squadron's campaign put an emphasis on collecting so many more signatures than are required. It is also why the total includes only signatures gathered on petition sheets exclusively for Squadron's State Senate candidacy, and does not include hundreds of signatures gathered on his behalf by the Downtown Independent Democrats, which were collected on omnibus petition sheets that listed the clubs other endorsed candidates. While this is a standard practice, the Squadron campaign's legal counsel expressed concern that those signatures could in theory be challenged by Connor under an esoteric and unexplored provision of the election law.
UPDATE II: Per Liz, Connor says he doesn't "plan on" challenging Squadron's petitions:
Asked whether he planned to challenge Squadron's petitions, Connor replied: "No, I don't plan on it." He pointed out that he didn't challenge Diamondstone's petitions last time, although, as Squadron noted, he did bring a suit regarding his opponent's residency that year. |
