SD-51: Barber Campaign Live Blogging The Results Tonight

by: robert.harding

Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 14:01:14 PM EST

You can follow the live blog here.

The Barber campaign's YouTube page features some great videos of Don in action and gives you an opportunity to learn what Don is all about (if you didn't know already). Here is one of my favorite videos featuring Don:

And I shot this video of Don when he came to Rochester in late September for a press conference with a number of upstate senate candidates:

Like Phillip, this is the race I want to see in our column at the end of the night. If you are in the district, please cast your vote for Don Barber.  

VIDEO: SD-51: Don Barber Thanks Volunteers For Phone Calls

by: robert.harding

Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 21:57:47 PM EST

Another part is phone banking. Calling voters is a must and while, thanks to technology, phone banking is easier than ever (you can use cell phones or landlines), it can be difficult at times. But the key is to identify your supporters and urge them to vote for you on Election Day.

Don Barber has lived by grassroots principles during this campaign. I know that his campaign has had a dynamic phone banking operation and their canvassing efforts have been just as successful. The number of phone calls they have made are in the thousands.

Today, Barber discussed in a video the phone banking operations and thanked the volunteers for their work:

There hasn't been as much hype with Barber's race in recent weeks. But in watching this race, I know better than to write off Barber. The Barber campaign and its volunteers have worked hard. They have Sen. Jim Seward up against the ropes. Seward isn't just going to roll over Barber. Barber is putting up a real challenge.

If you're in the 51st, please cast your vote for Don Barber tomorrow.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber for New York State Senate

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-51: Barber And Seward Debate; Square Off On Insurance Deregulation

by: robert.harding

Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 12:51:24 PM EDT

At an hour long Oneonta debate last night, state Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) highlighted how Sen. Seward's deregulation policies and lack of oversight had hurt all New Yorkers. Citing Seward's campaign contributions from insurance interests in Albany, New York and Washington D.C., Barber, (D-Caroline) linked insurance company cash to Seward's decades-long deregulation activities.  Seward (R-Milford) denied that the hundreds of thousands he received from insurance interests influenced his policies.

In remarks after the debate Barber stated, "Sen. Seward made the claim that he had no role in regulating insurance. He neglected to say that the state Senate has an enormous influence over everything from health insurance rates to auto insurance rates. These insurance companies don't contribute money without expecting something in return, and they get it from Sen. Seward."

Barber also pointed to Aetna Insurance Political Action Committee spokeswoman Susan Millirick's statement to the Utica Observer-Dispatch on July 26th. Referring to insurance company campaign contributions to politicians, she said "Such contributions are made because insurance companies are highly regulated... He (Seward) plays a distinct role in the laws that regulate our business..."

Seward's claim that he has no influence over insurance legislation belies the facts, Barber said. The Assembly passed bills to control health insurance rates five times from 2001-2005. (A 6852A and A7485) These bills would have required State Insurance Department hearings if health insurers intended to raise rates over 5% in a given year. The companion bill (S 3757-A) never moved out of Seward's Senate Insurance Committee.

"During this period health insurance rates rose exponentially," Barber said. "And insurance company profits rose 93%. I'd say the insurance industry made a good investment when they showered all this cash on Sen. Seward."

In addition, Seward also pushed through dangerous stripped-down health care policies, Freedom Health Insurance Plans, that demand deductibles as high as $10,000 and are "exempted from all state mandates and rules regulating the type and quality of care," according to the Drum Major Institute.

"I can't think of any more blatant act of deregulation than tearing down all the state mandates that improve health insurance. Sen. Seward's legislation destroyed protections it took years to build into these policies. Deregulation is just another word for letting huge corporations take advantage of consumers, and when I'm elected I will do everything in my power to protect New Yorkers' health care, not make them more vulnerable to catastrophic illnesses and the bankruptcies that inevitably follow."

I have been hearing good things out of the Barber campaign in recent days. Come November 4, I would watch this race. There is something brewing in the 51st.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-51: Barber Goes On Offensive Against Seward At Debate

by: robert.harding

Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 18:04:09 PM EDT

According to the campaign, the debate will rebroadcast at noon Sunday on WZOZ 103.1FM, WDOS 730AM and WSRK 103.9FM.

Here is the reaction from Barber and his campaign following the debate:

In comments after the debate, Barber said, "Look at the state of our economy even before the Wall Street meltdown. Manufacturing is disappearing, family farms are being sold, minimum wage jobs are multiplying. We have 2.6 million in New York State without health insurance, one in three are without coverage at any given time, and now my opponent is going around touting stripped-down policies that non-partisan groups like the American Cancer Society say won't even pay for life saving treatments. The time is long past for new leadership in our district."

During the debate Barber pressed one of the central points of his candidacy, the corrupting influence of big money in Albany politics. "My opponent has taken over $320,000 from insurance interests. He's the Chair of the Senate Insurance Committee. This creates the appearance of impropriety, and the public loses faith in its representatives."

In a recent report, "The High Cost of Pay to Play," Citizen Action pointed out that Sen. Seward was the New York State Senate's leading recipient of cash from health insurers. Don Barber hasn't received a single dollar from corporate interests in his run for the state Senate, but has instead relied on over 2,000 individual donors to fund his seven-county campaign.

"It's hard to see how Senator Seward can say he's proud of his record when all around us we see the evidence of an economy in deep, long-term decline," said Tarah Rowse, Barber's Campaign Manager. "Don Barber has a plan to build a new economy that will provide the kind of jobs that will attract young people to our area, not send them running off thousands of miles away to find decent employment."

The people of the 51st Senate District have a clear choice. You can go with the same incumbent senator who has catered to the special interests instead of your interests OR you can go with Don Barber, a champion of the middle class and a hardworking man who will take that approach and view to Albany.

The choice is a clear one to me. The people of the 51st Senate District are fortunate to have a candidate like Don Barber. This is a golden opportunity to bring real change to Albany.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-51: Rep. Gillibrand Endorses Don Barber

by: robert.harding

Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 12:35:14 PM EDT

State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) accepted Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand's strong endorsement today. Rep. Gillibrand (D-Hudson) has made tax cuts for upstate and North Country families one of her highest priorities. She has also authored legislation that would double the tax credit for child care expenses and make up to $10,000 in college tuition tax deductible.

In her statement Rep. Gillibrand said, "This region needs leaders like Don Barber, who will fight to lower property taxes, decrease health care costs and grow our economy by creating good jobs.  I look forward to working with Don to further the interests of this region, and I support his candidacy for the State Senate."

Barber expressed his appreciation for the Congresswoman's support. "Rep. Gillibrand and I share the same values. She is focusing on the struggles of upstate's working families, especially in this economic crisis as I am. We are both deeply concerned about how many New Yorkers lack health insurance and the continuing erosion of health care benefits even for those who have policies. Too many New Yorkers are just one illness away from bankruptcy. I very much appreciate Rep. Gillibrand's endorsement."

Barber has also been endorsed by Rep. Mike Arcuri and Rep. Maurice Hinchey, as well as Paul Tonko, who is running for Congress in the 21st congressional district. They also had glowing remarks about Barber, which you can read below the fold.

If you are in the 51st Senate District, please help Don out as much as you can. Candidates like Don don't come around too often and he is in a tough race. Even though I am many senate districts away from Don's, I still will be making phone calls for him this week and leading up to the election. If you don't feel like walkin', get on the phones and start talkin'. Let's help elect Don to the New York State Senate.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

VIDEO: SD-51: Don Barber Gives Us A YouTube Campaign Update

by: robert.harding

Fri Oct 17, 2008 at 14:01:47 PM EDT

Barber has recorded a brief campaign update to tell us where he is at up to this point.

Barber is in a tough fight. It's not going to be easy to knock off a guy who has secured $2,110,000 in member items for his district for 2008-09. But Barber knows the problems middle class folks face in SD-51. We need to elect Don Barber to the New York State Senate. Let's help him, shall we?

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-51: Paul Tonko Endorses Don Barber

by: robert.harding

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 15:46:43 PM EDT

State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) accepted congressional candidate Paul Tonko's (D-Amsterdam) endorsement today. Tonko, the popular former Assemblyman and favorite to win the 21st Congressional seat, praised Barber for his stands on quality, affordable universal health care and energy policy.  

"Don Barber has stood up to the powerful insurance lobby and made a strong argument that we need a publicly-funded, privately delivered universal health care plan. I have backed a similar proposal for many years because it is fiscally responsible and will deliver quality health care to every single New Yorker. Don Barber's vision of a new alternative energy economy and energy independence for New York is the sort of change we need in energy policy. I've worked with Don for a long time, and I know how committed he is to improving the lives of working people. That's why he has my full support."

Barber thanked Tonko for his backing. "Paul Tonko has tremendous support in the district for a reason. He is a leader with a long-range vision to build a better quality of life for all New Yorkers. He believes, as I do, that health care is a right, not a commodity that should be for sale. And we are on the same page as far as energy policy. By building a new alternative energy economy, we can build a sustainable local economy that will resist the kinds of global economic shocks we're experiencing right now."

This was a great gesture from Tonko, whose congressional district does overlap with Barber's state senate district.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

Democratic Senate Leaders, Candidates Come Together In Rochester

by: robert.harding

Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 17:44:21 PM EDT

- Mike Russo, who is running for Joe Bruno's old seat in the 43rd Senate District.

- Don Barber, the Democrat running in New York's 51st Senate District to unseat Republican Sen. Jim Seward.

- Paloma Capanna, a candidate who is running arguably the most grassroots campaign in the state against Republican Sen. Michael Nozzolio. Nozzolio has never faced a challenge to his seat in the 54th Senate District.

- David Nachbar, a former businessman who is vying for the 55th Senate District seat against Republican Sen. Jim Alesi.

- Rick Dollinger, who is giving Sen. Joe Robach a run for his money in the 56th Senate District.

Each candidate spoke and gave brief remarks (see below the fold). If you listen to anyone's remarks, please listen to Capanna's. She gave the most passionate speech I have ever seen in such a short amount of time about the need to replace these Republicans. I really liked Barber's remarks too considering it was the first I've had the chance to see him in person.

There are few things you won't see in these videos. Something Sen. Smith said really resonated with me, especially during this election season. The Republicans will play the downstate card any chance they get because that's really all they have against the Democrats. Sen. Smith stressed "One New York" during his remarks, some of which you will see on video and some of which weren't recorded.

Democrats are united statewide, whether it's Brian Foley running against Sen. Caesar Trunzo or Joe Mesi running for an open seat here in Western New York. We have real chances to win seats on Long Island, in New York City, retain a key seat in the North Country, win seats in the Southern Tier and pick up a few seats here in Western New York. Having three of our leaders from the Senate who represent New York City districts come to upstate and show their strong support for candidates means a lot. There are a lot of key races up here and they are clearly paying attention.

At the event today, the future majority leader led off things before introducing the candidates:

Dem Challengers Call Out Senate GOP Today In Rochester

by: phillip anderson

Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:35:06 AM EDT

From an emailed release:

Upstate Democratic Senate Candidates Blast Republicans for Failing New York State

(Rochester, NY) Throughout their 40 years in control of the State Senate, Republicans have failed to meet the needs of working class New Yorkers and revitalize the Upstate economy. With a struggling economy statewide, rising energy costs and crumbling housing market in Upstate communities, New York can no longer afford the unfulfilled promises of Senate Republicans. Democratic candidates for the State Senate are holding a press conference to blast Republicans for failing to make the changes needed to get New York back on track.

Invited:

Don Barber (SD-51)
Paloma Capanna (SD-54)
Rick Dollinger (SD-56)
Ken Dow (SD-41)
Kathy Konst (SD-59)
Joe Mesi (SD-61)
David Nachbar (SD-55)
Mike Russo (SD-43)
John Tonello (SD-53)

Where:

Monroe County Democratic Headquarters
1150 University Ave., Bldg. 5
Rochester, NY 14607

When:

TODAY / Wednesday, September 24, 2008 @ 11am

If you are in or around Rochester, you should drop by if you have the time. I'm sure the candidates would love to say hello.

SD-51: Human Rights Campaign Says Barber In Top 25 Races Nationally

by: robert.harding

Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 17:28:05 PM EDT

The Human Rights Campaign, a grassroots organization with over 750,000 members sent one of its most accomplished campaign workers to assist Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his state Senate race against 22-year incumbent. Sen. Jim Seward (R-Milford). As the largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where GLBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

Shaneequa Brooks is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Dual Degree in African American Studies and Political Science. She will be assisting Barber's campaign in field operations and student outreach.

Don Barber praised Brooks, as well as Sen. Tom Duane, who brought the Barber campaign to HRC's attention. "Shaneequa Brooks is talented and well-prepared for the job. She has a great academic background, and we're happy to have her onboard.  We're grateful to Sen. Duane, who helped initiate the contact between our campaign and HRC."

Participants of the 2008 Campaign College were brought to Washington, DC for an intensive week of hands-on training on how a campaign works.  After mastering the basic skills of field organizing, the top 25 races were chosen and the organizers were sent out into the field to work in target races until Election Day.

In a year with many key U.S. Senate and House races, as well as state races throughout the country and of course the battle for the presidency, saying that Barber's race is one of the top 25 in the country. It is also shows how strong of a candidate (and a progressive) Barber is and his position on these issues affecting the GLBT community means that his race is a big target for the HRC.

This is great for Barber. We need a state senator like Don Barber who will fight for upstate and the rural areas as well as carry a progressive message to Albany.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-25, SD-51: Schumer Stumps With Squadron, Hillary Backs Barber

by: phillip anderson

Mon Sep 08, 2008 at 15:49:43 PM EDT

And Hillary Clinton has formally endorsed SD-51 challenger Don Barber.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) threw her support behind Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his run for a seat in the New York State Senate (51stD). Clinton praised Barber's campaign for taking on the special interests and battling for the middle class.  

In her statement, Clinton said, "Don Barber is a farmer who knows how to protect our precious environment. He's a businessman who knows how to revitalize the upstate economy. He's running a vibrant, grassroots campaign and taking on the special interests that have blocked health care reform. I know Don Barber will put the interests of middle class, working families first. His voice is sorely needed in the New York State Senate. He has my full support."

Barber thanked Sen. Clinton."I deeply appreciate this support and recognition from Senator Clinton.  I am honored to add her endorsement to our list of supporters.  This shows the depth and breadth of the excitement our campaign is generating."

I should not that I also got another email from Hillary this morning urging me to vote for Sheldon Silver. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Update: Robinia beat me to the punch below, but I like the fact that we have two Barber posts up.

SD-51: Don Barber's Vision For A New Upstate Economy

by: robert.harding

Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 15:39:46 PM EDT

Speaking in Cortland today, State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) presented his vision for a new upstate economy built on alternative energy industries and a small business revival. Barber hit hard at Sen. Jim Seward's policy of giving tax breaks to big businesses that take taxpayer dollars and fail to produce jobs.

Barber is optimistic that his plan will turn back decades of economic decline. The six-term Town of Caroline Supervisor sees opportunities for an economic comeback in upstate New York if the region builds on its agricultural base and develops solar, wind and biomass industries. A proponent of the "buy local" movement, he also advocates rolling back unfunded mandates to lower property taxes. Driving down property taxes will help residents and small businesses thrive, Barber said.

"A new, vibrant economy is within our grasp. We must buy local and innovate to build the new economy. The real economy isn't a bunch of graphs and numbers. It's our quality of life. It's families and our children," Barber said.

Barber decried Sen. Seward's failed policies, charging the 22-year incumbent is "too cozy with big business." Referring to Sen. Seward's corporate giveaways, Barber added, "Just this year, he and the Republican leadership rejected a proposal to require companies that get tax breaks and then outsource jobs to return that money. It's our hard-earned dollars that he gave away without demanding accountability."

The sky-rocketing cost of health insurance is also depressing the local economy, Barber argued, laying the blame squarely at Sen. Seward's feet. "Jim Seward heads up the Senate Insurance Committee. Since 2001 he has blocked a bill to cap HMO premium increases at 5%. The result? HMO premiums have risen 79% and insurance company profits increased a stunning 93%. The lack of affordable health care is the main reason that small businesses can't start up and farmers are forced to find jobs off the farm."

If we want another "One of Us"-type senators in the New York State Senate, we need to elect Don Barber in SD-51. I think we can do that.

Let's help him out in the meantime. If you are in the area, sign up to volunteer for Barber and also send him a few bucks for the cause.

ON THE WEB:

Contribute to Don Barber for State Senate  

SD-51: Barber Nabs Two Endorsements

by: robert.harding

Thu Jul 31, 2008 at 15:47:09 PM EDT

The United Auto Workers and the Communications Workers of America both endorsed Don Barber (D-Caroline) in his quest to win the 51st state Senate seat today.  Barber commented that the unions are close allies in the struggle to improve the quality of life in upstate communities.

"One of the things that always strikes me when I meet with unions like the UAW and the CWA is that they always address each other as brothers and sisters.  They are exactly the kind of community supporters who are backing my campaign.  They have the right mindset, that we're working together to make our communities better.  I'm thrilled to have their support."

Communications Workers of America's members are employed in many different sectors of the economy: telecommunications; health care; higher education; manufacturing; broadcast and cable television; commercial printing and newspapers; state, local, and country government.  The union has been a leader in supporting community-labor alliances like Jobs With Justice and New York's Working Families Party.

"Don Barber will shake up Albany and deliver for working people," said Bob Master, Legislative and Political Director for CWA District 1.  "Albany is broken and needs fixing on issues that matter, like campaign finance reform, fair taxation and paid family leave.  Don Barber is the right person for the job."

This is big time support for Barber. He is deserving of this. He will be a great asset in the Senate for the working citizens of New York.

ON THE WEB:

Don Barber's ActBlue Page

SD-51: You Get What You Pay For

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 13:32:00 PM EDT

Consider the bill Seward sponsored this year that would allow the auto insurance industry to raise their rates up to 5% every year without any approval whatsoever from state regulators. The bill doesn't have a constituency, there was no one pushing it all, outside of the industry itself, but that was good enough for Seward to push it through anyway. I mean, you "dance with them that brung ya", after all. And let's not forget that New Yorkers already pay the second highest auto insurance rates in the country.

Recently, the Utica Observer-Dispatch called Seward's office and asked them for an explanation. Seward's office's reply is priceless:

Seward's office says the measure would help the public by also giving insurers the flexibility to lower rates quickly.

Yes, someone on the public payroll was forced to say that with a straight face.

The Utica O-D goes on to tell even more of the story:

* In the first half of 2008, nearly one-half of the $177,484 Seward's campaign raised came from dozens of insurance industry-related companies and organizations.

* Insurance-industry donations also represented many of the largest sums received by the Seward campaign.

Among them were $5,500 donations from both Preferred Mutual Insurance Co. of New Berlin and the Independent Agents Political Action Committee of DeWitt, and $5,000 from The Standard Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford, Conn., records show.

Of the almost 190 bills Seward sponsored in 2007-08, more than 65 were immediately referred to the Insurance Committee, according to information on a state legislative Web site.

According to good-government advocates, the size and scope of the insurance-industry donations raise questions about Seward's accountability to his constituents.

"Clearly, insurance guys are giving money thinking they can get something out of it," said Russ Haven, legislative counsel for the Albany-based nonprofit New York Public Interest Research Group, which opposed the auto-insurance bill.

"It's about wanting to maintain relationships and get access, and certainly they think it's a wise investment in the system," he said.

The state Senate "has been much more pro-insurance industry than the Assembly, and has favored a free-market approach," Haven said, pointing out that New York has the second-highest auto insurance rates in the country. "We don't think consumers are served well by that."

I think few people would argue that New York consumers are well served by someone who helped make it possible for the auto insurance industry to raise rates even further without any regulatory oversight. But, then again, the industry has invested wisely and it never really was about you.

You get what you pay for.

On the web: Don Barber for State Senate.

SD-3: On Petitions, Grass/Netroots Candidates & How The Game Is Played

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jul 23, 2008 at 15:20:28 PM EDT

That said, I have also advised Jimmy Dahroug off and on for quite some time, never for pay.

Today, Jimmy Dahroug released a statement denouncing the challenge to his nominating petitions and calling the challenge an "act of desperation" from the campaign of Brian Foley.

Democratic State Senate Candidate Jimmy Dahroug responded to objections to his petetions by backers of Brian Foley (as reported in Newsday). "This is clearly an act of desperation by Foley's campaign. He failed to secure our party's nomination at the convention. Now Brian and his backers are nervous about facing me in a primary. So his backers are using underhanded and shady tactics to run away from a fair fight."

"Dahroug issued a direct challenge to Brian Foley: "I'm publicly calling on Brian Foley to stop the undemocratic and underhanded actions of his campaign backers. Brian called for a positive, high-minded race. If he truly is committed to the standard he set, he'll back up his words with action."

Dahroug's campaign filed 1,408 signatures with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, a cushion of over 40% more than the required number. This is about the same number of signatures the Dahroug campaign filed for in its successful 2006 primary race. All signatures were gathered at the homes of registered Democrats by trained Democratic committee members and volunteers. Not a single signature gatherer was paid.

Where to start? Is the challenge to Jimmy's petitions "undemocratic" and "underhanded?" That's a bit of stretch. Is democracy served by such challenges? Doubtful, but it is how the game is played here in New York, for better or worse. Anyone who didn't see this coming after Jimmy submitted a rather anemic 1,408 signatures needs to wake up. Everyone knows the rules and everyone knows that when you need 1,000 signatures, 1,400 just doesn't cut it. Not in this state, anyway.

Compare this performance with that of Don Barber. Playing by the same rules, Barber submitted over 2,600 signatures. Dan Squadron, who is running in a primary against probably the finest election lawyer in the whole state, collected over 8,000 signatures. That's how it's done. That's how one plays this game. There's just no way to challenge numbers like that. Someone like Jimmy, who is on his third run and has essentially been running for five years non stop, knows the rules, yet he still only managed 1,400 sigs. That's pretty sad to say the least.

Foley, who has been in the race only since the night of the Suffolk County Dem convention submitted 3,200 sigs. Yeah, he did pay petition carriers. This isn't an uncommon occurrence. It's great if you can gather a respectable number with an all volunteer effort. It shows some organizational competence as well as real support for your campaign. But, given that those volunteers collected only 1,400 signatures, perhaps Jimmy should have paid petition carriers as well. Just sayin'.

More on the flip...

(Barber for Senate) a story that should be spread far and wide

by: Transplanted New Yorker

Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 15:46:07 PM EDT

This is just something I wanted to share that I heard about today.

So I am pretty sure TAP covered this a while back, but many of you probably are aware that Don has called for a moratorium on natural gas drilling, which is a big deal in a large segment of our district. It is something that affects all of us as New Yorkers, though, whether the drilling is directly in your own backyard or somewhere else in our state.

Here is the deal in layman's terms:

Basically you have this big natural gas boom taking place. Some of the potential spots in NY rival the size of oil fields in TX.

When the people know, however, about implications and are presented with knowledge and information, you get movements. We need one.

I hope I grabbed your attention...

New Yorkers DominateThis Week's ActBlue Top 10

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 09:27:22 AM EDT

1. Darcy Burner WA-08 $47,589.77
2. Kay Hagan NC-Sen $27,568.33
3. Rick Noriega TX-Sen $22,627.38
4. Donald Barber NY-SD-51 $11,440.00
5. Barack Obama President $11,179.93
6. Paul Newell NY-HD-64 $10,425.00
7. Michael McMahon NY-13 $9,211.33
8. Gary Peters MI-09 $8,587.75
9. David Nachbar NY-SD-55 $7,751.00
10.Tracey Brooks NY-21 $6,085.00

That's right, fully half of the top 10 are New Yorkers and three of those five are state-level candidates, the first time any state level candidate have ever been in the top 10.

Don Barber is the highest ranked New Yorker at number 4. Number 5? Barack Obama. Wrap your head around that one.

Paul Newell comes in 6th, a strong showing and outpacing every federal candidate from New York on the list.

NY-13 candidate Mike McMahon comes in 7th.

SD-51 challenger David Nachbar in 9th.

Tracey Brooks rounds out the top 10.

It is really heartening to see half of the list from New York, but also that three of those five are state level candidates. ActBlue is an amazing tool and I congratulate those candidates and campaigns that have embraced it. I also salute those donors who have given via ActBlue. The GOP doesn't have anything like it and their donors aren't as comfortable giving to candidates online.

Go New York!

P.S. If your campaign is not yet on ActBlue, change that. As you can see, ActBlue is a great tool even for state level candidates. This is a big part of how we run campaigns now. Get with it.  

Golisano Supporting Mostly Democrats... Except Barber

by: robert.harding

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 23:29:33 PM EDT

The not-so surprising picks include Democrats Rick Dollinger (SD-56), Kathy Konst (SD-59) and Joe Mesi (SD-61). Golisano will also be backing Democrat David Nachbar (SD-55).

Golisano will also reach outside of his Western New York comfort zone to back Democrats Joseph Addabbo (SD-15) and Sen. Darrel Aubertine (SD-48).

The one interesting choice is Golisano's reported support going to Sen. James Seward. This is a very disappointing choice should Golisano follow through with it. Don Barber is the much better option and the strongest candidate in SD-51.

Two key Democratic primaries Golisano has either decided not to enter or hasn't decided on who to back are AD-64 and SD-25. According to The Capitol, Golisano will not get involved in the primary between Sen. Martin Connor and Daniel Squadron. However, he has not decided on AD-64 or, as The Capitol put it, hasn't given any "serious consideration" of opposing Sheldon Silver by giving to one of his two primary opponents: Paul Newell and Luke Henry.

One other race to watch is SD-3. Golisano is said to be ready to oppose Sen. Caesar Trunzo but has not decided on who to back: Brian Foley or Jimmy Dahroug. If Golisano gives to Foley, that is an open and shut case. If Golisano gives to Dahroug, it's a whole new ball game.

There could be many other races that Golisano invests in. Golisano made one of his first decisions by backing Barbra Kavanaugh over Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.

As you can see, this is just getting started.

I am not too thrilled with Golisano backing Seward over Barber. Actually, that is really disappointing. How can you back all Democrats and then decide you want to back Seward? There has got to be something more to that story.  

SD-51: Barber Files 2,600 Signatures

by: robert.harding

Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 18:23:53 PM EDT

Barber got over two and a half times the number of signatures required for a Democratic state senate candidate in SD-51 (1,000 signatures).

From the Barber campaign:

Don Barber's campaign delivered 307 pages of petitions including over 2600 signatures to the Board of Elections in Albany yesterday, ensuring the Caroline Democrat the first line on the state senate ballot. Barber's 2600 signatures exceed the required number for the Democratic Party slot by 260%. Barber also secured the Working Families Party line, more than doubling the signatures needed for that party's spot on the ballot.  

Barber's petitions rolled in from all seven counties in the 51st state Senate district. Volunteers and campaign workers signed up supporters from Catskill to Caroline. "What's important about the number of people who signed my petitions is that it shows the depth and breadth of support we're getting," Barber said. "When you get signatures from all areas of all seven counties, it shows how much people want change. They're tired of the same old leadership."

Barber opposes gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district lines to protect the incumbent and discourage opponents from challenging entrenched legislators. "People in our district have had enough of gerrymandering that limits their choice of candidates. They signed our petitions because they want a choice, and they want change."

Don Barber is one of the best candidates the Democratic Party has. I hope the state party comes to its senses and gives Barber the attention his race deserves. While money has its role in the current political system, I haven't been able to find a campaign that has more of a grassroots theme than Don Barber's.  

SD-51: So, I Finally Met Don Barber

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 15:51:30 PM EDT

He's having another event here in the city tonight (Details in the extended entry) and Don has agreed to take a few minutes to speak to us on camera. For those who haven't yet met Don, I'll soon have some video of him speaking directly to us.

Our good friend Bouldin was there as well last night and I completely agree with what he had to say:

Very impressive, for several reasons. First of all, he's a nice guy, who I'm pretty confident isn't going to turn into an aloof elected aristocrat like some of the GOP senators one might care to mention.

Then, there's his platform: Don is running on a really simple idea that's gotten short shrift in New York for a while: that we're all in this together, that jobs matter, that the yawning gap between rich and poor in this state is scandalous, that we need to take better care of each other and the world we live in. As he says, he grew up on a farm, and it shows: the man is steeped in the values of a small, close-knit community that exercises stewardship of the land. Yes, that matters.

...

In every cycle, there's a competition between candidates for the affections of the netroots and grassroots at a given level of government. In 2006, Brian Keeler held that pole position for State Senate candidates (and rightly so, because Brian is awesome). This time around, if I had to take a guess at this point, I'd say Don Barber is going to be the marquee grassroots Senate candidate.

I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment and I'll add the following: Not only is Don a great candidate who is building a true grassroots campaign up in the 51st, the 51st District itself provides some really excellent opportunities for both volunteer mobilization as well as a great chance to educate people around the state about why it's important to finally retake the state Senate. The very shape of the district, the infamous "Abraham Lincoln riding a vacuum cleaner" district, is such a monstrosity. It's simply indefensible, but it does lend itself to bringing volunteers in from around the state. There are few places in New York that are more than an hour or two drive away from this thing. A sustained effort from activists statewide could really make a difference in this race and the very shape of the district makes it easy for folks from all over to get to at least part of it.

Secondly, the shape of the district itself should be made an issue. I think the campaign should start putting the image of the district on all sorts of stuff with a tagline like "There's a reason that our state Senate district looks like this and it has absolutely nothing to do with representing us or our interests in Albany." I think such a message, besides being a potentially effective campaign piece, is also an opportunity to educate folks about reform issues like the absolutely ridiculous gerrymandering of legislative districts across the state.

I guess what I'm saying is that Barber's campaign seems ideal to me for a concentration of our efforts. It appears to me to be an excellent opportunity for the New York net/grassroots to get involved in and behind a great campaign and one that is going to be extremely tough, but is indeed winnable. There are certainly other races worthy of our efforts. I imagine many folks down here in NYC will be spending some time and money on races closer to home in Queens and Long Island, but the 51st is a great chance for those from pretty much anywhere in New York who are willing to roll up their sleeves, put their walking shoes on and open up their wallets.

Who's with me?

On the web: Don Barber for State Senate.