SD-3 challenger Brian X. Foley has released his second TV spot today and it pulls no punches. The ad goes right after Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) and his decades long enabling of the Wizards of Wall St that have driven our economy off a cliff. It is titled "Bull" and it is very, very good.
There will be no Democratic primary in the 3rd SD. Jimmy Dahroug officially endorsed Brookhaven Supervisor Brain X. Foley at a press conference this afternoon. From an emailed release:
Jimmy Dahroug Endorses Brian X. Foley for State Senate Democrats Unite to Fight for the Working Families of Islip and Brookhaven
HOLBROOK, NY - Jimmy Dahroug today endorsed Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley for State Senate. Suffolk County Democratic Chair Rich Schaffer and Islip Democratic Chair Ivan Young joined Dahroug at the Holbrook event to show their commitment to Party unity and their support for Foley.
"I am proud to endorse Brian Foley for State Senate," said Jimmy Dahroug. "It is time for change and I encourage all my supporters to join me in supporting and actively helping elect Brian Foley to the State Senate."
Foley, a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, has spent the past 15 years working on behalf of those in his community both as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature and in his current position as Brookhaven Supervisor. He has a proven record of fighting for fundamental reforms and fiscal responsibility. As Brookhaven Supervisor, he cleaned up a notoriously corrupt town government, ended no-bid insurance contracts that cost taxpayers millions, protected open space and put the Town in its strongest fiscal position in decades.
"The Democratic Party is united and ready to fight for the change our working families so desperately need," said Suffolk County Democratic Chair Rich Schaffer. "Brian Foley will be an independent voice for change in the Senate, not someone beholden to the special interests in Albany."
Islip Town Democratic Chair Ivan Young added, "We are united in our support of Brian Foley and look forward to actively helping elect him to the State Senate."
Foley formally announced that he would run for State Senate in the Third District at the end of May. He has been running an aggressive campaign over the past months and continues to gain momentum and support throughout the Brookhaven-Islip area.
"I thank Jimmy and our Democratic leadership for their support. Only together, united, can we end the stranglehold of special interests in Albany. It is time for change and I look forward to continuing my campaign for the working families of Islip and Brookhaven," stated Foley.
This is all good. I am very, very excited about this race.
This is a classy move by Jimmy Dahroug. Tomorrow, he will formally endorse Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley in the SD-3 race against Caesar Trunzo (R-FL). From an emailed release:
TOMORROW: Jimmy Dahroug to Endorse Brian X. Foley for State Senate
Jimmy Dahroug will call for Party unity and formally announce his support of Brian Foley for State Senate, TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 13 at an event in Holbrook. Suffolk County Democratic Chair Rich Schaffer and Islip Democratic Chair Ivan Young will also be in attendance.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 12 - 3:00 PM
WHAT: Endorsement event for Brian X. Foley
WHERE: 4250 Veterans Memorial Highway
Holbrook, NY
It appears that there will not be a Democratic primary in the 3rd SD after all. Last night, lawyers for Democratic SD-3 hopeful Brian Foley dropped their challenge to their primary opponent, Jimmy Darhoug's nominating petitions. Newsday got a statement from Dahroug's lawyer that included the following:
He confirmed that Dahroug has scheduled a news conference next Wednesday, but could not disclose what the candidate planned to discuss.
Well, it looks like we won't have to wait until next week to find out what Jimmy Dahroug wanted to discuss. This morning, Dahroug has asked that his name be removed from the September 9th primary ballot. I'm told that a statement from the Foley campaign is forthcoming shortly. I assume we may have something from the Dahroug camp as well later today.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a nominee. Now, let's go beat Caesar Trunzo (R-FL)
SD-3 challenger Brian Foley picked up a significant Labor endorsement today when the United Auto Workers. It would seem that the men and women of the UAW are just as tired of Caesar Trunzo as everyone else seems to be. Via email:
UAW ENDORSES BRIAN X. FOLEY
Foley Gaining Momentum in Fight for the Working Families of Islip and Brookhaven
Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley today received the endorsement of UAW (United Auto Workers). The endorsement reflects Brian X. Foley's deep commitment to fight for the working families of Islip and Brookhaven.
"Out of control property taxes are literally driving people off of Long Island. This district has stagnated after 36 years of Republican control. It's time for change and the UAW thinks Brian Foley can bring about that change," stated Robert Madore, Director of UAW Region 9A.
"People are sick of the high property taxes and the skyrocketing price of food and gas. Special interests have Albany in gridlock; preventing the change we need. The working families of Islip and Brookhaven have had enough! We want change from the White House to the State House," stated Foley. "I am thrilled to have UAW's support. Together we must move forward to bring the change and results our communities need," added Foley
UAW's endorsement adds to Foley's already formidable organization that collected over 3,200 signatures to qualify for the Democratic line and is well positioned to defeat the weakened 36 year Conservative Republican incumbent Caesar Trunzo.
Earlier in the cycle, Phillip Anderson bumped my very first diary regarding SD3 and the Democrats deep bench. The article was the first to dare declare on the netroots that Jimmy Dahroug was not the only or remotely strongest candidate to challenge this race.
I followed that up with a series of diaries on the changing demographics and voter ID in many districts that would afford opportunity for the Democrats to take control of the NYS Senate. After my wife and I visited Oswego in February to do a little leg work for Aubertines successful special election bid, I began reporting on the SD3 race again.
The Suffolk Board of Elections rejected Thursday the challenge to Democratic state Senate candidate Jimmy Dahroug's nominating petitions, putting him on the party's September primary ballot against Broolkhaven Supervisor Brian Foley.
The commissioners' disallowed 243 of Dahroug's 1,408 signatures, but it still left with him with 165 signatures more than minimum of 1,000 names he needed to qualify.
The way I understand this is that the Suffolk BOE dismissed 243 signatures essentially out of hand, leaving Jimmy with a 165 signature cushion. That said, this appears to be not much more than something of a "round one", so to speak. Doug Forand sees it that way at least:
Doug Forand, consultant for Senate Democrats campaign committee who are supporting Foley, said they will pursue their challenge of Dahroug petitions in court, claming 506 of his petition signatures were invalid. Both men are seeking the right to face 36 year Senate veteran Caesar Trunzo, 82, in the November election.
From what I understand, this was always going to end up in court, apparently as soon as next week. If Dahroug had gathered 2,000 or so sigs this wouldn't be happening.
How did I miss this one? It seems that dozens of angry GOP protestors turned up at the Islip Republican Party HQ on Monday night to demand that Senator Caesar Trunzo (R-FL) step down as the Islip GOP boss. Check this out:
About 65 unhappy Islip Republicans turned out in the sweltering heat Monday night in front of the party's Third Avenue headquarters in Bay Shore to ask Caesar Trunzo to step down as town GOP leader.
Frank Tratone, one of the leaders of the group which calls itself "21st Century Republicans," said Trunzo has "guided the party through one disaster after another," and has no plans for fundraising for anyone other than himself through Election Day.
Tratone said the new group is planning its own fundraiser, and will reach out to candidates and offer support. "It's not too later to save the this party," said Tratone, "Brookhaven Republicans changed leadership and recptured the majority on the town board. We will do it too."
Actually, it might indeed be too late to save that party and the fact that folks like Trunzo have kept their hands on the wheel so long isn't helping their cause.
Also, check out these choice comments to the article above:
It's time for Caesar Trunzo to pass the torch to the new young leaders of the Islip Republican Party and concentrate his efforts on getting re-elected to the NY State Senate. He should act as the elder statesman for the new leaders.
It appears as though what is holding things up is that Trunzo is insisting on being able to hand pick his successor. It also appears as though Trunzo's close circle of advisors are pushing their own personal agendas rather than looking out for the interests of the Republican Party.
Who is left without a hearing problem or without self interest to snuggle up to Caesar's butt? All of his advisors are wheeled into 3rd Avenue by their nurses and all dislike him as he sits there licking his fingers like one who is demented. They are all phoneys.
How many times do people have to tell Caesar its time to go? He is a stubborn old man who needs to relize (sic) his time is up.
A knowledgeable source tells me, and you can verify it yourself because it is all public record, that it was Dahroug surrogates who actually challenged first*. Surrogates of Jimmy's, including at least one former paid staffer, filed "General Objections" with BOE within three days of Foley's filing. (One files "General Objections" within three days and then, if one wishes to pursue those objections, files "Specific Objections" within five days of the first filing, citing your objections line by line.)
Filing "General Objections" isn't all that uncommon. It happens all the time. Jimmy's surrogates did so, but never filed the specifics, either because they couldn't find sufficient objections or because they knew they couldn't win.
None of this is terribly exotic, but it is somewhat disingenuous to put out a release damning your opponent for engaging in activity that your own camp started. If it is "undemocratic" and "underhanded" for your opponent to do it, not to mention a "clear sign of desperation", why is the Dahroug campaign engaging it as well? Is it still "shady" when Dahroug does it?
Just sayin'.
*UPDATE: Jimmy tells me that it was Foley's surrogates who actually filed their General Objections first. Trying to verify this, but until I can, consider the word "first" in that sentence to be inoperative.
Let me preface this post with a brief announcement that I will expand upon later today. I do some consulting on web strategy for a firm that works with the DSCC. More later, but do keep those two words in mind, "web strategy." OK?
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'.
Contrary to what politics64 told us earlier, Islip Democratic Chairman Ivan Young has not pulled his support of SD-3 Democratic challenger Jimmy Dahroug, who is fighting an uphill battle against Brian Foley.
I was contacted by Young who sought to set the record straight. I asked him if he still supported Dahroug and still backed him and Young answered simply, "Yes." He called any claims that he has pulled his support "not true."
I guess if we want to know who Ivan Young is supporting, we should ask Ivan Young. Actually I don't "guess" we should do that. We should do that.
If Young chose to support Foley or go a step further and become uncommitted, that is his choice. He should not be praised or criticized either way. He is one man, albeit one man who happens to be a town Democratic chair in Suffolk County.
Until Young issues a statement to the contrary, he still supports Dahroug. At least, that's what he tells me.
I have just learned that following a recent meeting to Suffolk County by the New York State Democratic Party Chair that included County Chair Rich Schaffer and his Town Leaders, Islip Town Democratic Chair, Ivan Young announced to his Town Committee that he has withdrawn his endorsement of Jimmy Dahroug and now remains uncommitted in his choice for the SD3 primary pending. Young added that he can support either Foley or Dahroug but that he stands behind Assemblyman Phil Ramos in his primary challenge by CE Steve Levy candidate, Waldo Cabrera.
In more bad news for Jimmy, it is appearing more likely that his petitions may be challenged as he
(More from on the ground in SD-3. - promoted by phillip anderson)
Brookhaven Town Supervisor. Brian Foley, filed some 3300 signatures from some 75 individual petition carriers to qualify for the Democratic nomination for SD3. Jimmy Dahroug, who was the nominee in 2004 and 2006 filed some 1400 signatures gathered by some 15 individual gatherers. This would indicate a decisive advantage to Foley in campaign organization.
In the 2006 primary some 5500 voters turned out in the three way SD3 race between Jimmy, David Ochoa and County Legislator Ricardo Montano. I do not believe the turnout will exceed that total as the Presidential primaries are over and there are no statewide races to add to the draw
(The latest from on the ground in SD-3. - promoted by phillip anderson)
I always get a chuckle out of posts developed from press releases with short comments that give an illusion of the facts but unfortunately have none within their content. Such is the case with the recent front page post on TAP regarding the 3rd Senate District and the recent endorsements of Islip Town Democratic Chair Ivan Young and Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano.
I will begin by stating first, that it is doubtful that the Democratic primary for SD3 will end up a competitive one at all. Foley is likely to walk away with this one 3-1 in margin.
Today Dahroug for Senate campaign received two major endorsements. Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano, (9th L.D.) representing Brentwood, Central Islip and Islandia, and Islip Town Democratic Chairman Ivan Young officially endorsed Jimmy Dahroug's campaign for New York State Senate (S.D. 3).
While Legislator Montano moved to suspend his bid for the State Senate, he has decided to put his full support behind Jimmy Dahroug. In a letter to Democratic Party Committee Members, Montano stated, "I believe that with hard work and the right candidate we Democrats will win the 3rd Senate District and the State Senate this November. That is why I am endorsing Jimmy Dahroug for State Senate.
...
"I'm proud and grateful to have earned Legislator Montano's support," said Dahroug. Noting their 2006 primary, Dahroug said, "We've always maintained a positive working relationship - especially because of our shared commitment to bring the tax relief and school aid our residents deserve."
The primary in SD-3 will be a tough one. Foley has the establishment's support and Albany's backing. Dahroug has support from progressives and local leaders alike, which will be a clash in September.
Today, Dahroug sent an e-mail to supporters asking them to help his campaign. In that e-mail, he also took a subtle jab at Foley's candidacy.
In a more perfect world, I would be contacting you today to ask for your help in defeating the Republican majority in Albany. But as many of you have heard, we now have a Democratic primary for the State Senate race in District 3.
Literally 30 minutes before the Suffolk County Democratic Convention, Brian Foley announced to me that he was throwing his hat into the ring for this race. This news also came as a surprise to local activists and Democratic Party leaders.
I'm sure the Republicans in Albany let out a big cheer when they heard the announcement. After all, Brian's last-minute entry into the race is certain to distract voters from our real opponent: Senator Trunzo and the Republican majority in the Senate.
Even if it isn't a wise choice, Brian has every right to run. It may mean just a bit more effort on our part, but such is the small price for democracy. With your help, we can - and will - win the Primary.
I like Jimmy. I really do. I stood up for him when Republican-turned-Democrat Chris Bodkin thought about running, but decided against it.
I said before that Foley makes this a top-tier race, but for more reasons than just the possibility of a Foley-Sen. Caesar Trunzo showdown. If Dahroug can beat Foley in the primary, he should be seen as a very strong candidate if he can beat the likes of Foley. In the event of such a victory, these same Democrats who are backing Foley should get behind Dahroug. Because if Dahroug can beat Foley, he can beat Trunzo.
You can't, however, make it seem as if because you have a primary, it ruins your chances to beat the Republican. When you say things like the GOP "let out a big cheer", that's not good. In fact, I believe that worrying so much about your primary opponent makes you look weak and makes you look as if you are worried. I hope Dahroug isn't heading down such a road.
Foley brings a lot to this race and makes it a very competitive one for Democrats. Dahroug will just have to work harder. If he wins, he will be stronger because of it.
SD-3 Democratic candidate Jimmy Dahroug called on his primary opponent, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley, to focus on Brookhaven instead of running a primary against Dahroug for the SD-3 Democratic nomination.
Here is the statement from Dahroug included in a press release from the Dahroug campaign:
"I consider Brian Foley a friend and I have deep respect for his family's service to the region. With the grave consequences Brookhaven town now faces, Brian can best serve more residents by standing up to fight the Republican majority on the town board. With the Republican machine fighting to undermine the progress Brian Foley has made, the town is in a precarious situation. I urge him to re-focus on the 'more than full-time' job of Brookhaven Supervisor. Brookhaven needs Brian now more than ever."
"As Democrats, we run the risk of dividing our focus and squandering our resources by spending campaign dollars on a state Senate primary," said Jimmy Dahroug. "Instead, we should devote our attention to winning this seat for the Democratic Party, and I'm the candidate who can beat Caesar Trunzo. With Trunzo gone, we can make important changes that will benefit our community, our schools, and our working families."
Dahroug's campaign cited three Brookhaven Democrats who were quoted as saying that Foley should stay in Brookhaven and focus on Brookhaven, instead of running for New York State Senate.
A few things here. First, it is not secret that some of the state Democrats and the local Democrats in SD-3 do not think of Dahroug as a serious contender. When Foley announced last week, it was said that Foley immediately made the race a top-tier race. I tend to agree with that, but for more reasons than one. If Foley win the primary, he is a strong contender for Caesar Trunzo and has a great shot at beating Trunzo. But even if he loses to Dahroug in the primary, it will make Dahroug a stronger candidate and one that can beat Trunzo.
That is how we should approach this primary. Jimmy is not a bad candidate. Foley is a terrific candidate. If Jimmy wants this seat, he will go full steam ahead and beat Foley in the primary. It will only make him better in the general election.
It looks as if there will be a primary in SD-3 after all. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley announced his intention to seek the Democratic primary nod to challenge Caesar Trunzo (R-Florida) hours before the Suffolk County Democratic Committee's convention in Patchogue. From Newsday:
After weeks of mulling, Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley will seek the Democratic nod Thursday night to challenge 36-year GOP state Senate veteran Caesar Trunzo in a bid to topple the Republicans' last bastion of state power.
Foley, 50, only hours before the convention called the race a "dream opportunity" and vowed to "bring a new level of energy to representing the Third Senate District."
The supervisor's entry into the contest could make the race for the Third Senate District seat the marquee local political race for all of Long Island as Senate Republicans try to hang on to the two-vote majority they've held for decades.
...
However, observers expect a multimillion-dollar battle between two unbeaten incumbents -- Foley the second generation scion of a prominent political family and Trunzo, who turned 82 just this month -- in a district that straddles the Brookhaven-Islip border.
...
Doug Forand, a consultant for Senate Democrats, said they are "thrilled by Brian's decision." He "presents an extremely strong candidacy," because of his fundraisng ability, his 14 years as elected offical and his record of cleaning up the scandal-ridden town, he said.
The supervisor's decision came only hours before the Democratic county convention start time of 7 p.m. in Patchogue. His decision came after consulting with his father, former Suffolk Legis. John Foley, after whom the county's nursing hiome in Yaphank is named. Democratic sources said the elder Foley encouraged his son to make the race, even though he lost by 10,000 votes in his own run against Trunzo for state Senate in the 1982. However, sources say Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer has privately discouraged Foley from entering the race.
Foley's entry into this race is categorically different the aborted flirtation of party switcher Chris Bodkin. First, Foley is an actual Democrat. Second, he's got an actual reform record. Third, he can raise money.
As much as I like Jimmy Dahroug, and I really do, were Foley to prevail and get the Democratic nomination, this race goes from being a second tier (as per folks who are working Senate races this year see it) to being a slam bang first tier race. A well placed source with much experience in Long Island Dem politics says to me in an email, "I know that Jimmy has a lot of support in your community, but this is huge. Bigger than just merely fighting the good fight. A legitimate giant killer with real reformist cred." That said, I'll stand by what I said a few months ago. If Jimmy really wants this, then he's going to have go out and win it. Period. I like Jimmy, but I have to confess to being much more eager to hear about Foley than I ever was to hear about Bodkin.
I don't know all that much about Foley, but I like what I hear from people I trust. Anyone else care to enlighten the rest of us?
Also, anyone who was at the Suffolk County Convention tonight want to share what actually went down this evening?
When it was first reported that Islip Democratic Councilman Chris Bodkin withdrew from the 3rd SD race the news was greeted by many Jimmy Dahroug supporters that the Suffolk Party had essentially cleared the decks for a Dahroug V Trunzo III! The facts on the ground were really much different. Brookhaven Democratic Supervisor, Brian Foley had made his interests known to Suffolk County Chair Rich Schaffer and the NYS DSCC that he had interest in making the run against Republican Caesar Trunzo. Essentially, the Bodkin departure was clearing the decks not for Jimmy but for Brian Foley. Rick Brand of Newsday provided the following story with my commentary between the quotes:
