Bill says it best (via email):
Bronx, NY - Today Bronx voters sent a clear message to Albany lawmakers with the defeat of disgraced incumbent State Senator Pedro Espada. Voters are fed up with the corrupt practices of Albany and want lawmakers to fundamentally change the way they conduct business on behalf of the people. That is why they elected New Roosevelt Initiative-endorsed candidate Gustavo Rivera. New Yorkers want to see real reform enacted immediately and are willing to send young, bright progressive-minded candidates to Albany who will get the job done.
Many said defeating Pedro Esapda, the incumbent State Senator, would be an uphill battle. New Roosevelt was the first organization to endorse Rivera, in a crowded primary field, more than two months ago and saw him as the best shot to beat Espada and bring reform to Albany. New Roosevelt built from scratch a field organization totally devoted to Albany reform and executed a targeted field and mail operation directed at Bronx primary voters as well as polling and get out the vote efforts. We are proud to help make the defeat of Espada a reality.
With this victory we are sending a message to both Republicans and Democrats that if major reform measures are not in enacted soon, they may face the same fate as Espada in 2012.
Rivera's victory comes at the end of a day apparently filled with campaign shenanigans by the disgraced loser - sounds sweet, doesn't it? - and can safely be considered a necessary step to draining the Albany swamp.
[Update 1]: via MYD, it wasn't even close: 70% for Rivera. Shoulda handed out more groceries and sausages, Pedro.
[Update 2]: Let me emphasize again the most important part of the statement above:
With this victory we are sending a message to both Republicans and Democrats that if major reform measures are not in enacted soon, they may face the same fate as Espada in 2012.
The clock's ticking for the Albany incumbency. Might be time to think about those Five Pillars of Reform, eh? |
