| Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith was joined today by seven Democrats running for state senate seats throughout New York. Those Democrats joining Smith were: Kristen McElroy (SD-6), Jim Gennaro (SD-11), Hiram Monserrate (SD-13), Joseph Addabbo (SD-15), Daniel Squadron (SD-25), Larry Delarose (SD-39) and Joe Mesi (SD-61).
 Smith and the candidates discussed why New York needs a change in the state senate. Republicans have ruled the upper house for over 40 years and the time for addressing the concerns of working families is now. The Republicans have not done this. The Democrats will strive to do this.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO: Pictured, from left, are: Jim Gennaro, Malcolm Smith, Joe Mesi at the podium, Hiram Monserrate and Joseph Addabbo. Dan Squadron is directly behind Mesi, although you can't completely see him.)
Here are some of the remarks from the candidates today. I know Phillip said he was hoping to go, so maybe he will have more for us later.
"Albany has lost touch with the needs of working people, and the state is struggling. We've got to get serious about the rising cost of living, unequal distribution of education aid, tax breaks for corporations which outsource jobs and drain the tax base, and a culture of out of control spending and pork barrel promises which has supplanted fiscal responsibility. How many more jobs must we loose until labor and small businesses get the support they need to succeed? How many more seniors should have to go bankrupt before their heath insurance finally kicks in? And how many more years do our kids need to suffer before the City sees the CFE money we were promised 13 years ago. Enough is enough. Albany is out of touch and time is up," said Councilman Joe Addabbo (SD-15).
"Right now, New Yorkers have an historic opportunity to change their day-to-day lives for the better by electing fresh new leadership to the State Senate," said Councilman Jim Gennaro (SD-11), who Chairs the Environmental Protection Committee in the City Council and has become recognized as one of the most prolific author of green legislation in the state. "I'm proud to be part of Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith's energetic and progressive slate of candidates as we run to bring better schools, better health care, better transportation, a more sustainable environment and a state budget that's more responsible and fair for all New Yorkers. The days of a dysfunctional, unresponsive state government promise to be over with our success in November."
Kristin McElroy (SD-6) said "I'm proud to be a Democratic candidate for State Senate this year, because the time has come for Albany to provide real leadership on the issues facing New York's families. Under the Republican majority, property taxes have skyrocketed and health care and energy costs have grown out of control. I look forward to serving on a State Senate led by a Democratic majority that will work with the Governor and the State Assembly to get New York moving in the right direction."
This is a great group of candidates we have statewide this year. We have some seats that are more competitive than others, but that doesn't mean a surprise (or two or three) can't be in the works. There are a few sleeper races that are on my mind that are winnable races this year.
New York needs leadership. They don't need the same lip service they have received from the Republicans for the last 40-plus years. It's time for a change. It's time for a Democratic New York State Senate.
ON THE WEB:
New York State Democratic Senate Campaign Committee ActBlue Page
Kristen McElroy's ActBlue Page
Jim Gennaro's ActBlue Page
Joseph Addabbo's ActBlue Page
Joe Mesi's ActBlue Page |
