| I've been told that the Stonewall Democrats of Western New York have officially chosen Sean Cooney as their endorsed candidate in the 58th State Senate district. While incumbent Bill Stachowski refused to respond to the group's questionnaire, Cooney beat out Golisano/Pigeon-backed Tim Kennedy as well as Mike Kuzma to get the group's nod.
From the candidate questionnaire:
I am seeking the 58th State Senate seat because we need to restore trust in State government. The pay-to-play and "three men in the room" systems we currently have lead to corruption, inaction, and government waste. Right now we have an incredible opportunity to reform New York State government.... We must [elect] new legislators who are truly committed to meaningful reform, not just lip service or gimmicks. As the only candidate not employed by our political system, I have the independence to champion these reforms, win the support of the WNY voters, and restore trust in State government.
With Stachowski considered weak and a possible retirement from his safely Democratic district, we're left with the major candidates being a real reformer in the form of Sean Cooney, and Tim Kennedy, a guy who's already proven himself willing flip the Erie County legislature for some patronage.
Not to mention, this is one of the safely blue "must have" districts for supporters of serious government reform, marriage equality, and all the other stuff we care about around here. For all these reasons, this is a vital state senate race this year, possibly the most important one in all of upstate New York.
But this doesn't happen without money, and it's been suggested that this will likely be not just one of the most important but also the most expensive state senate race in New York. Tim Kennedy has the unholy force of Tom Golisano and the supremely corrupt Independence Party machine behind him, and Stachowski has been in Albany for decades, long enough to rack up plenty of favors. To be competitive, Sean needs the support of the netroots. And we need him, desperately, if we're going to put together a genuinely pro-reform majority next year.
To help, you can spread the word, and donate to Sean Cooney on ActBlue |
