First off, the trash has been carted off to the dump. The single most foul, offensive, miserable, and corrupt waste of flesh has been removed from our legislature. Everybody who contributed to his ousting, from reformers to unions and the WFP to all the volunteers and voters who looked at this abysmal sleazy excuse for a human being and roundly said enough is enough, should be commended for their contribution. A clear message has been sent to the rest of the pack up there that you cannot get away with just anything.
The GOP nominated Carl Paladino for Governor. But the great thing is that Rick Lazio won the Conservative nomination, thus making it even more impossible for Cuomo not to win, not even considering Paladino's history of racism and general wingnut teabagging lunacy.
It appears Eric Schneiderman will pull out the AG race. This is a very good thing. Schneiderman has been a lifelong reformer. I am very happy to think that the man who had Hiram Monserratte's scalp will now fill a position with powers to regulate all of Albany.
Unfortunately, Ruben Diaz Sr. soundly defeated Charlie Ramos, 81-19 at this point. What we've learned from the Pedro race and the Squadron/Connor and Newell/Shelly races from 08 is that pork-spewing incumbent legislators can be defeated, but it involves a full-court press by reformers, democratic clubs, unions, and the WFP. If that full spectrum coalition isn't all behind the challenger, it is unlikely that incumbents lose. Another anti-gay Senator, Shirley Huntley beat challenger Lynn Nunes by an over 2-1 margin.
Charlie Rangel won re-election. Rangel certainly doesn't deserve this victory but it was clear this would happen with the divided nature and weak candidates of the opposition.
Crazy person Greg Ball won his GOP primary for the 40th Senate District to face rockstar Mike Kaplowitz in November.
Doug Hoffman is losing the GOP nomination for NY-23 but will ensure we keep the seat because he will run on the third-party Conservative line.
Carolyn Maloney soundly defeated Reshma Saujani. Saujani could have tapped into an anti-incumbent mood this year but was defined early as the pro-wall street candidate and never shook that association.
Bill Stachowski lost to a Steve Pigeon candidate. Stach was stupid for voting against marriage equality and for that he deserves to lose. But Tim Kennedy didn't deserve to win. It would have been better if that pro-equality energy were directed at Ruben Diaz Sr. instead.
Overall, I'm sad that Diaz Sr. won by such a large margin but the race in the neighboring 33rd district took most of the reform resources. Next time, that might not be the case. In many of the other races, the best result happened for us happened, so everyone should feel good after today's results. Nights like these are what make politics great.
Tonight there were more than a few surprises at the ballot box. The Senate's longest-serving incumbent, Martin Connor was beaten by progressive newcomer, Dan Squadron. Alice Kyrzan took atvantage of the Davis-Powers mudfight to pull a Kerry in Iowa. Incubents Ed Towns and Sheldon Silver won their re-election bids by roughly 2-1. And happily, Bronx Senator Efrain Gonzalez, who is facing federal corruption charges, was defeated by fomer Councilman Pedro Espada Jr.
As I have been covering the AD-64 race with the most interest, here are a few observations. First off, Shelly does have a Republican opponent, and let me say that I wholehartedly endorse him against his Republican opponent. While we Democrats have the privilege of being picky in our primaries, even the worst Democrats are better than even the best Republicans any day. Vote Sheldon Silver in November.
Secondly, I am hoping Shelly can learn from this primary fight. Shelly had a roughly 30-1 cash advantage against his opponents, and more importantly, he had the backing of the WFP and every union that decided to endorse in that race. He also had almost every member of the Assembly and their staffs pounding the payment, taxpayer-funded constituent mailers, and $7 million worth of pork to slather his district with. Newell had 40 volunteers, zero endorsements by any elected officials, and an office rented in a dance studio. Shelly also had the downtown Democratic clubs and there were people handing out pro-Shelly literature on virtually every corner of that district today. And still 1/3 of the Democrats in his district cast votes against him. Shelly did about 10 points better than Martin Connor did in 2006 (who was facing a much better financed opponent), and we know what happened to Connor tonight.
To his credit, after Shelly's leadership was challenged from within his caucus in 2002, he got the message and changed his behavior afterwards. Let's hope he draws the same lessons from today. If he actually starts passing rules reform in his house and works with out soon-to-be Democratic Senate to pass campaign finance reform and redistricting reform, it will be because of this courageous primary challenge by Paul Newell. And let me say also, that if Shelly does these things, I will stop railing against him on a daily basis on this blog. But he has to do those things first.
On another note, the real winner tonight was the WFP. I don't think they lost a single race where they endorsed. Very impressive.
And finally, I am looking forward to having a real reformer going to Albany in January by the name of Dan Squadron. For a challenger to beat the former minority leader by almost 10 points is almost hard to describe in its impressiveness. With a victory like this, Albany will have to take notice of Squadron's 11-point plan for reform, which includes Clean Money Clean Elections, redistricting reform, and rules reform. I'm looking forward to Squadron taking this plan forward with the same force as did in his enormously successful campaign.
So celebrate tonight everyone, because we live in a democracy where we can have these discussions in public without fear of government retribiution. Even if your candidate lost, you can't argue with the voters having their say.
This Tuesday, unless your incumbent legislator is personally known to you to be a genuine reformer (2 names come to mind: Senator Bill Perkens and Assemblyman Jim Brennan), vote for the challenger. Here are some endorsements in selective races.
SD-25:
This primary pits newcomer Dan Squadron against longtime incumbent and former Senate Minority Leader Martin Connor. Connor was sacked by his conference in 2002 because of his perceived failure to challenge the Republicans agressively enough either in the caucus or at the ballot box.
28-year-old Squadron is promising to make significant reforms to the Albany game. He is has also refused to accept PAC, corporate, and lobbyist money for his campaign.
It's too bad Shelly has 2 challengers who will likely split the opposition vote. Of those 2 challengers, Paul Newell is the stronger one. In the last filing he raised $40,015 to Henry's $510. He has deep roots in the district and is waging an energetic campaign. Newell has been endorsed by the New York Times, the Daily News, the Downtown Express, the Villager, and has the necessary grassroots operation to even have a chance of pulling off the upset of Silver. It's time to send a message to Albany that the ridiculousness ends now, with a strong message to the upper eschelons of power. Justin Sullivan, a filmmaker, is making a documentary about this race- let's give that movie a happy ending.
This congressional primary pits longtime Democratic Congressman Edolphus Towns against former "Real World" star and activist, Kevin Parker. Towns had some serious "wtf" votes considering he represents one of the most Democratic districts in the country, including his vote for the Bankruptcy Bill and for CAFTA. On the Bankruptcy Bill alone, Towns deserves to lose his job. Powell has a compelling life story and appears he will be a good representative for Brooklyn's 10th District.
Elsewhere: As mentioned earlier, our legislature is the worst in the country. Unless you can personally vouch for your incumbent legislator (there are maybe 5 or 10 incumbents that deserve to be re-elected), vote for the challenger. It's time for some long-overdue accountbility in Albany.
The latest round of campaign finance filings reveal that Martin Connor has lent $35,000 of his own money to his campaign.
On its face, there is nothing wrong with that- politicians of all stripes do that all the time.
However, there are 2 things wrong with it in this instance. First, it flies in the face of Connor's theme of attacking Squadron as the "rich kid." He has no right to attack Squadron on this basis if Connor is using his own wealth to bolster his campaign, something that Squadron is not doing (Squadron is also refusing to take corporate, PAC, or lobbyist money, of which Connor has no qualms about taking).
Second, the level of spin by Connor's campaign about the loan is so disengenuous as to be insulting:
The decision to lend personal money to the campaign is completely unrelated to the race this year, said Mike Barfield, Connor's campaign manager.
Just admit you need the money for the last week before a tough election- what is the shame in that? To deny that a $35,000 loan to your campaign a week before an election has anything to do with that election is as preposterous as it is ridiculous. It may be a sore spot for Connor that Squadron is handily outraising him and doing it only with contributions of individuals, but he doesn't have to lie in a way that makes him just look completely ridiculous. Gimme a break, Senator.
It's been a good couple of weeks for the Squadron Campaign, and the momentum keept rolling today with his endorsement by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer:
"Throughout his career, Daniel Squadron has demonstrated an intelligent, progressive approach to challenging the status quo and getting results, and in this campaign he has shown courage that is almost unheard of in Albany. Only one candidate in this race will be the powerful voice for progressive change that we so desperately need in Albany. That is why, as someone who cares deeply about reforming government at every level, I am proud to support Daniel Squadron."
Even better, Squadron released this 11-point plan on how to make the State Senate an actually functioning legislature once the Democrats take control:
1. Mandate that bills that clear committees see timely debate, of a reasonable time period, and a vote before the full chamber.
2. Ease the restrictions on discharge petitions to more easily allow legislators to force roll-call votes in committee or the entire chamber.
3. Increase transparency related to committee proceedings and require more committee participation.
4. Allow sponsors of passed legislation or the leadership of the houses to call conference committees when similar (but not identical) bills pass both houses.
5. Repeal the 2005 rule forcing rules changes to be approved by the Rules Committee.
6. Equalize the distribution of staff and office resources.
7. Implement a Clean Money, Clean Elections system of public financing for state elections, with a system mirroring New York City's as a starting point.
8. Institute a strong enforcement mechanism and strengthen regulations on personal spending and disclosure requirements.
9. Create a non-partisan independent redistricting commission, so legislators can't draw their own districts, and allow the legislature only a simple up or down vote.
10. Make voting easier by passing Election Day Voter Registration.
11. Improve ballot access by reducing petition signature requirements and reforming the vacancy-filling process.
Lots of great stuff here, and you can read the more detailed version of these bullet points here (PDF).
This is exactly why we run reformers in primary challenges. Connor, while in the minority, had 30 years to try to drain the swamp in Albany, several of those years as the Senate's minority leader. Even as a minority legislator, he did not use his pulpit to promote these issues. Now, despite who wins, these issues are ont he table and Connor is making campaign promises to enact reform if the Democrats take the Senate.
For those who doubt the wisdom of running primary challengers to against entrenched incumbents, Al Smith was completely right when he said the only cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.
At a press conference on the City Hall steps just now, incumbent State Senator Marty Connor was endorsed by the five members of Congress whose districts overlap with his: Ed Towns, Nydia Velazquez, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler. (Yvette Clarke is endorsing him too, but did not attend).
Nadler, the only one to answer the question, offered the following:
"Well, Chuck is entitled to put considerations of personal friendship over everything else that we have talked about, and he's said that's exactly what he has done. Marty's opponent worked for Chuck, is the co-author of his book with him, and I understand a personal loyalty," Nadler said.
"Chuck also said that Marty didn't support him in the primary 15, 10 years ago. He's entitled to make endorsements on the basis he wishes. But I think we're making an endorsement, not on the basis of [who] supported whom ten years ago, or who worked for who, or who is a personal friend, but who we believe is the most progressive, and the most activist, most effective senator for this district."
I wouldn't go as far as saying that Nadler took a shot at Schumer there, although it could be viewed in that light. But all Nadler is saying is that Schumer puts personal relationships over everything else every time. That might be a bad thing but it also could be a good thing, depending on your viewpoint.
This primary is going to be an intense one. Connor has a lot of backing from incumbent Democrats. Squadron has the backing of one of the most prominent incumbent Democrats in the state.
Squadron has a big endorsement in his back pocket though. Sen. Chuck Schumer has backed Squadron and notified Connor that he would do so at the DRC convention in April.
More on the Connor endorsements to come.
UPDATE: There was a fifth congressmember to come out and support Connor. Rep. Yvette Clarke also endorsed Connor today.
Here is more on the endorsements today from the press release:
"Marty Connor has my full support for re-election in the Democratic Primary Election. I have worked hand in hand with him on behalf of our constituents on the Lower East Side and in Brooklyn. He is always there fighting for NYCHA residents and tenants. He can always be counted on to stand up for the progressive positions on all the issues. I will be working very hard to insure his re-election. Our constituents need him to continue as their Senator in Albany." - Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez
"Marty Connor has well served our shared constituents in Lower Manhattan, Tribeca and SoHo. After 9/11 we worked jointly to care for the immediate needs of our residents who were in need of assistance and together he joined me in challenging the federal and local governments' false assurances about the environment in Lower Manhattan and the inadequacy of the clean-up. Having served with him in Albany and then as the Congressman representing part of his district I know first-hand of his commitment to progressive politics. I endorse his re-election in the Democratic Primary without reservation."
- Congressman Jerrold Nadler
More praise for Connor from Maloney, Towns and Clarke below the fold.
- There will be no endorsement in SD-32, as Sen. Ruben Diaz, who has been an opponent of gay causes, did not receive an endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats and because there is no other candidate in the race, no one will get an endorsement.
CLARIFICATION: Earlier I wrote that on April 15 Squadron called on Connor to issue his tax returns. Actually, Squadron called on Connor to pay his taxes. However, this was in Azi's post from April 15:
"When asked if Squadron would make his own tax information public, Cooley said she unsure and will get to me with an answer.
A spokesman for Connor did not immediately have a response.
UPDATE: Squardon's campaign manager emailed to say, "Daniel will release his taxes, as soon as Senator Connor gets around to doing and releasing his."
So take that for what it's worth. - Robert
--
Sen. Martin Connor announced today that he will release his tax returns from the last five years and called on his primary opponent Dan Squadron to do the same.
Here is the press advisory sent out on behalf of Connor:
State Senator Martin Connor will make his past five years of tax returns available to the press for review on July 8, 2008. Senator Connor is calling on his opponent, Dan Squadron, to make an identical, full and complete disclosure by July 15, 2008. "I am looking forward to engaging in a campaign that is based upon facts and truth, not mischaracterizations and exaggerations," Connor explained. "The voters deserve nothing less, and the release of both our tax returns will be a good start."
Senator Connor will also make available for review, in unredacted form, his filings with the Legislative Ethics Commission for the past five years. He is likewise calling on Squadron to do the same with his filing wit the same Commission after it has been filed.
I have never understood why any politician has to release their tax returns. To me, it is a petty issue. But such is life with politics.
SD-25 Democratic challenger Dan Squadron kicked off his "Summer of Accountability: A Difference Between Democrats" campaign today to show how he is different from incumbent primary opponent Sen. Martin Connor.
From the first of two e-mailed press releases:
"The Summer of Accountability will demonstrate how important it is not just that Democrats take back the State Senate-but that State Senate Democrats are truly innovative, progressive and independent," said Squadron. "The days of checking a box at election time and sitting on your hands when it comes time to lead are numbered."
"I know it's a novel idea in state politics, but this is about being held to account for 30 years as part of a broken system," Squadron continued.
"Inaction bought and paid for by corporations and lobbyists is the old way of doing business in Albany - and it's exactly why I'm running to shake things up."
The series of issue contrasts in the Summer of Accountability campaign will highlight the backroom dealing and special interest bidding that too often blocks important progressive change that would make a real difference to New Yorkers. The Accountability campaign will offer a contrasting independent vision that can deliver real results on these issues, free from special interest influence.
Squadron is not accepting corporate, lobbyist or PAC contributions in his campaign for the 25th State Senate District.
In his first part of his "Summer of Accountability", Squadron expressed the need for a stronger Bottle Bill that would save the state $140 million.
"The Bigger, Better Bottle Bill would generate $140 million in revenue each year and allow 3 billion bottles to be recycled," Squadron said. "Only in Albany would such a proposal languish for years-it's a case study in what's wrong with the status quo. Legislators may check the right boxes but the bill never moves because a high-paid lobbying operation showers legislators with campaign cash."
In 2004, NYPIRG identified more than $1.2 million in campaign contributions from industry opponents to the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill, which this year once again failed to be included in the state budget. In the State Senate, most of the opponents' contributions have been directed to Republicans, but Squadron's opponent, 30-year-incumbent Martin Connor, took $23,100 from opponents of the bottle bill and lobbyists who have represented them.
"I'm not taking contributions from lobbyists, corporations or PACs, including the very interests that have killed the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill," said Squadron. "If I'm elected I won't owe them a thing, and I won't be afraid to stand up and call attention to this massive failure by the State Legislature."
Squadron also said he would co-sponsor Senate Bill 03272, the Senate Democratic version of the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill, which Senator Connor does not co-sponsor.
Many of the same lobbying groups fighting the Bottle Bill also opposed the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act - the statewide smoking ban - which Senator Connor was one of four Senate Democrats to vote against.
Squadron is ready to go. Below the fold is the aforementioned campaign contributions that Connor has received from companies who would be impacted by the Bottle Bill.
Dan Squadron, the ex-aide to US Sen. Charles Schumer who is challenging Sen. Marty Connor this September, fired off a shot at his opponent today via a "reminder" that today is the deadline for filing his income taxes, noting that the senator was the subject of a $135,521 tax lien in 2004.
"Dear Senator Connor," Squadron's campaign manager Mary Cooley wrote in a letter released to the media. "Just a friendly reminder that your taxes are due today."
"Since you've been up in Albany, hiding from a vote on congestion pricing and voting to keep empty, upstate prisons open, we wanted to make sure you remembered - we know paying your taxes has proven a challenge in the past."
"We are sure the lobbyists and corporations will understand if you take a break from doing their bidding for just a moment, so that you don't have any more pesky tax liens filed against you. See you on the trail.
Ouch. But Connor did not let this "cheap hit" (Connor's words, not mine) go unnoticed.
"That was in that's old news. That was an old tax lien I paid off with interest and penalties. mainly because I screwed up calculating the AMT. I'm not doing (the taxes) anymore. I have an accountant.
"This young man has no job," Connor said of his opponent. "He's been out there knocking on doors. It's awfully early to start a campaign. I'm up here in Albany doing my job. We're debating the death penalty today."
Just as a side note: What is it with older candidates/elected officials who play this youth card? "This young man has no job." Maybe he has chosen to campaign full-time. I see nothing wrong with that. Squadron has an impressive history, including being an aide to Sen. Chuck Schumer. So don't knock him for campaigning full-time. His passion is in the right place.
Veteran Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Connor said he was shocked when Schumer informed him during a rural Democrats' event in Saratoga Springs on Saturday that Schumer will back his former aide and political neophyte, Daniel Squadron, against Connor this fall.
According to Connor, Schumer, speaking in "a cold voice," informed the former state Senate minority leader: "You weren't there when I needed you; I owe you nothing."
At issue was Connor's 1998 endorsement of then-Rep. Schumer's U.S. Senate primary opponent, Geraldine Ferraro. Schumer went on to win the primary that year and oust Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in the general election.
"Chuck's so powerful now he thinks he can go back and get even with everyone who slighted him over the last 10 years," said a miffed Connor, whose encounter with Schumer was seen by several Democrats and independently confirmed by one of them.
I don't know if that's the reason. Squadron is, after all, a former Schumer aide. I'm sure the Connor endorsement a decade ago certainly hasn't been good for Schumer-Connor relations, but Squadron being in this race has given Schumer a good reason to support someone else.
Squadron has received the Working Families Party endorsement which will help him in this race. If he wins the primary, which is a strong possibility (especially with Schumer's support), he will be a lock to become the new senator in SD-25.
David Paterson's swearing-in today (wohoo!!!) inspired me to read up more on his background, which led me to stumble upon a very compelling chapter of his political life- his ouster of then-Senate Minority Leader, Marty Connor.
In 2002, Paterson achieved something almost as impressive as his becoming the first black and legally blind Governor of New York: he ousted a caucus leader in New York's legislature for only the second time in history (and the first time without the aid of an incoming Governor of the same party).
Adding to the intrigue of that coup, is that two pivotal figures who opposed Paterson are facing energetic, progressive primary challenges this year.
In 2002, Senate Democrats ousted Connor in favor of Paterson because they had a litany of complaints largely centered around his unwillingness to challenge Republican dominance of the chamber, and a perceived pro-suburban tilt for the conference's priorities:
Some Democratic senators have complained that Mr. Connor was secretive and autocratic -- common complaints in Albany -- and did not work hard enough to oppose, legislatively or electorally, the Republicans who have controlled the Senate for most of the last six decades.
(snip)
Many Democrats said discontent with Mr. Connor turned to anger this year, when he earned at least $250,000 as a lawyer working for Tom Golisano's Independence Party campaign for governor, and was seen as doing little to help Democrats like H. Carl McCall, the party's candidate for governor, or Senator Vincent Gentile of Brooklyn, who lost his bid for re-election.
Connor seemed content with the status-quo in Albany of having a GOP Senate and secrecy up-the-wazoo. Does this sound familiar? What makes me feel very confident about Paterson's values is that he was the guy the Senate Dems turned to to clean up that mess.
The most powerful force in the state party, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, sided with Mr. Connor. So did the Brooklyn party leader, Assemblyman Clarence Norman Jr.
It's no secret that Sheldon Silver and other pathetic Assembly-critters want Bruno to remain in power. I'm glad we still have a Democratic Governor who sees the absurdity of that position.
Fast forward to 2008, and now David Paterson is Governor, and Sheldon SIlver and Martin Connor are facing spirited, netroots-feuled primary challenges by Paul Newell and Dan Squadron.
This now begs the question, can these challengers effectively present themselves as the "Pro-Paterson" slate? Will Paterson funnel donors and implicit support their way?
(Full disclosure: Dan Squadron and I have a good friend in common and I attended a fundraiser for him in December)
Tonight, I had the privilege of conducting an interview, exclusively for TAP, with the man challenging Martin Connor in the 25th State Senate district. The content has been edited for grammar and continuity. Enjoy.
Roatti: What made you decide to run for State Senate?
Daniel Squadron: We need change in the State Legislature. We need more energy, new ideas and real results in Albany to make a real difference in the 25th Senate District and across the state.
R: Why aren't you running for the Assembly where you would be in the majority?
DS: First of all, I fully hope and believe that Democrats will be able to take control of the Senate this year. I also love this District and believe that there is an enormous amount that can be done in any case.
