| Now that Election Day 2009 has come and gone, it is time to look ahead to 2010. And when looking ahead, one can't help but look at the New York State Senate.
The dysfunctional body has its share of problems. And by problems, I mean senators who are in Albany for all the wrong reasons. Instead of serving the people of their district and the citizens of New York, they are in Albany to serve their own interests. We need to get rid of those senators and replace them with not more and better Democrats, but the best Democrat for the job.
Early on, here are five targets to focus on moving forward.
PEDRO ESPADA JR.
This one probably goes without saying, but we can't take our eyes off the ball. In 2008, we replaced one corrupt Democrat - Efrain Gonzalez - with Espada. This time around, we need to replace Espada with someone who will serve SD-33 well and not put his desire for power over the interests and issues of the district. It would also be in the best interests of Democrats in the district to find a replacement, since Espada embarrassed them by temporarily caucusing with the Republicans.
HIRAM MONSERRATE
If we can't fire Monserrate before the 2010 elections, let's have the voters of SD-13 send him home. Assemblyman Jose Peralta has stepped up to challenge Monserrate should he stick around for 2010. Monserrate's beating of his girlfriend and his role in the coup shouldn't be what the Democratic Party stands for. We need someone else and we need the best Democrat to step forward.
KEVIN PARKER
Parker has his own legal woes (an assault case, actually) to worry about. His defending of Monserrate was interesting, given his own problems and the fate he could face. He was in a primary in 2008 and another primary in 2010 seems likely. This time, we need to replace him. He is known for his bad temper and that temper leads to bad things, including the assault charge he is facing. We can't have that in Albany. We need someone else.
FRANK PADAVAN
This is a seat Jim Gennaro nearly won in 2008. It is reminiscent of when SD-15 was narrowly won by incumbent Serf Maltese in 2006 only to be lost in 2008 to Joseph Addabbo. Padavan has very little wiggle room and if Gennaro aimed for a rematch with the resources of the DSCC invested in the race, he can win. Picking up SD-11 would be huge, since the district has a Democratic enrollment advantage and should be in our hands to begin with. Gennaro would make a good candidate for 2010, if he wants it.
GEORGE MAZIARZ
Two things: I live in the district (SD-62) and I know that it might come as a surprise that I pick Maziarz over others. But I see this as a real opportunity. The only thing that makes SD-62 a leaning Republican district is the county I live in, Orleans. Take it away and this is a Democratic district. Maziarz's connections to Steve Pigeon and his role in the coup are worth noting. Maybe we don't win in 2010, but a strong candidate will give him trouble.
It would also be key to look at Long Island for another pickup. Kemp Hannon in SD-6 is a possibility. But we also need to make gains in upstate. We have areas that are Democratic or "purple" districts where we could win, but currently, these districts are represented by Republicans. That needs to change.
We have a lot of work to do for 2010. In 2008, we took back the New York State Senate. In 2010, we need to do some renovations. |
