Here is a round-up of news of goings on with the candidates in the 21st congressional district's Democratic primary.
Paul Tonko: Paul Tonko's campaign announced today that Tonko was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, the largest civil rights organization in the country fighting and working for GLBT equality.
HRC Political Action Director Mike Mings said: "Just a few votes separate New York from achieving marriage equality, and we value every fair-minded official who votes in favor of it. Paul Tonko not only supports marriage equality, but also has shown himself to be a leader on the issue in the State Assembly. On behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, I urge voters to reward him with a seat in Congress so he can continue to be not only a tireless advocate for the people of the Albany area, but an advocate for the ideals that make our country great-fairness, justice and opportunity."
Which one, as a freshman representative, could stand out in a system based heavily on seniority?
Ms. Brooks has that edge. She has worked for and clearly studied one of the Senate's masters of political fine arts, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who distinguished herself as a freshman senator for her ability to forge bipartisan alliances. She is also the face of a new breed in Congress: young, articulate, forceful, energetic and progressive. She would fit well with the previous crop of freshmen, which has quickly gained influence because the Democrats' narrow majority in the House hinges on them. And, as Sen. Clinton's former regional director, Ms. Brooks knows the district as well, if not better, than her opponents.
This is a very glowing endorsement of Brooks by the most important publication in this race. Also, Brooks has out-raised all of her opponents on ActBlue. As of this writing, Brooks has raised $170,589. That is more than the other three candidates combined.
Phil Steck: Phil Steck has supporters among students in NY-21. There is a video on YouTube in support of Steck:
