Paloma Capanna asked me to pass this along to our community here as a summary of where her race is at this point with about two and a half hours left before the polls close.
We've been phonebanking like crazy all day, except...nearly everyone has already gotten out to vote! Our game now is needle in a haystack: find who hasn't voted.
Turnout is historic. Monroe County is estimating it may crest 90% by 9 pm.
The noon reports throughout the District were a conservative average of 50% voter turnout.
We've gotten tremendous positive feedback all day long from voters of all political registration + blanks.
Keep your fingers and your toes crossed.
Thanks Philip for asking how we were doing. I'm to hopeful for my own good at this point, but ...
Working for victory until the polls close at 9 pm!
A Republican was just on TV and claimed that higher turnout benefits John McCain. I have never heard of high turnout helping any Republican, at least in recent history. These people aren't excited to vote for John McCain. They are excited for Barack Obama.
Here is a prediction: We will see an upset tonight somewhere. Maybe we will see more than one. I don't know. But I have a feeling there is an upset brewing somewhere. Is it in SD-54 with Paloma Capanna? Possibly. She has put the work in to do it. But I think there are other races where we could pull something off that no one was expecting.
It looks like Paloma Capanna's efforts to get her Republican opponent Sen. Michael Nozzolio to return contributions he received from nonprofits will fall flat with Nozzolio, who will keep the money, arguing that it is in accordance with state election law and that the only issues would be for the nonprofits, not for his campaign.
Capanna said nonprofit organizations are prohibited by Internal Revenue Service code from making political contributions, supporting or endorsing any political candidates.
...
"Once again, I'm sounding the trumpet for campaign reform," said Capanna, a Rochester-area lawyer, who is trying to unseat Nozzolio in the 54th District.
...
State elections board spokesman Robert Brehm acknowledged that candidates can receive campaign donations from nonprofit groups, under election law.
"It could be a tax code issue on the federal level (for the nonprofits) but it is not a state election law issue," Brehm said.
So if it's a tax code issue and nonprofits are giving money, wouldn't that be improper anyway? The tax code isn't anything to screw around with. Nozzolio should have returned these contributions or not accepted them.
Capanna has made it a point during this campaign to emphasize small, grassroots donors. She hasn't deviated from that strategy because she feels that it's the best way for her to push campaign finance reform on the trail. In other words, do as I say and do as I do. She is saying it on the trail AND doing it at the same time.
Paloma Capanna has been hot on the trail of her Republican opponent Sen. Michael Nozzolio. This time around, Capanna has caught Nozzolio accepting contributions from a nonprofit organization.
"Senator Nozzolio is taking the hay right out of the horse's mouth," said candidate Paloma Capanna as she called upon her opponent to immediately refund a $2,500 contribution he accepted from the nonprofit group Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP), Inc. on July 30, 2008. The campaign contribution was disclosed on Nozzolio's 32-day pre-general filing with the NYS Board of Elections. Capanna (D, WFP - Webster) is challenging Nozzolio (R, C - Fayette) for the NYS Senate in the 54th District.
FLTAP is a registered nonprofit corporation based in Farmington for thoroughbred horse adoption at the end of a racing career. $60,000 of taxpayer money went into the construction of the organization's barn.
"Whether it is taxpayer money or tax-deductible contributions, nonprofit organizations are strictly prohibited from giving money to a political candidate," said Capanna. "Given that Nozzolio, himself, delivered taxpayer money to FLTAP, he should have known it was a nonprofit corporation and he should have immediately refunded the contribution."
In a 1954 Congressional amendment to the Internal Revenue Code, the 501(c)(3) the nonprofit corporation became prohibited from making political contributions or supporting or endorsing any political candidates. The restraint is a condition of its preferential tax status.
Nozzolio also accepted contributions from the nonprofit corporation CDS Foundation, Inc. in the amount of $4,250 through three checks on July 6, 2007, December 13, 2007, and February 7, 2008. Capanna has likewise requested that these contributions be immediately refunded.
This is not the first time Nozzolio accpeted money from a nonprofit corporation. He accepted a contribution of $2,500 on July 20, 2007 from Auburn Memorial Hospital, made at the time that the hospital was seeking Bankruptcy Court permission to discharge creditors, laying off hundreds of employees, and shifting the employee retirement benefits to the federal government's Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. According to Nozzolio's Board of Elections filings, he finally refunded that contribution on January 22, 2008.
It seems like Nozzolio has been getting away with bending (or breaking) the rules for quite some time. The thing was that, before this year, he had never had a challenger. He has run unopposed and having a challenger is a new thing to him. Win or lose, Capanna has sent a clear message to Nozzolio: You might be an incumbent, but don't get comfortable.
(CORRECTION: I had stated earlier that Paloma Capanna received $5,000 from Responsible New York and only accepted $2,000 of that money. In fact, Capanna never received $5,000 from RNY. They only offered her that amount and she accepted her self-imposed maximum of $2,000. My apologies for the error.)
Paloma Capanna's campaign unearthed some interesting and questionable charges included in Sen. Michael Nozzolio's campaign finance filings. According to Capanna, Nozzolio charged his campaign $66,507.70 for car payments, insurance, gas and other transportation expenses. Upon reviewing the filings dating back to January 2007, that certainly appears to be the case.
From the Capanna campaign:
Under NY Election Law s.14-130, campaign funds may be used for "any lawful purpose," but "shall not be converted to personal use." According to Advisory Opinion 86-4 (6/2/1986), a candidate must reimbuse a campaign for any personal use of campaign assets. If campaign funds are used to pay for the purchase of an asset, a candidate may buy that asset from the campaign for the fair market value of the asset, as per Advisory Opinion 84-6 (7/14/1986).
"My opponent receives more in campaign travel benefits than most people earn in a year," pointed out Capanna, "No wonder he hasn't done anything in 28-years to reform New York's campaign finance laws."
Capanna is a zealous advocate for campaign finance law reform. She has not requested any reimbursement from her campaign for travel-related expenses. She owns and drives a Ford Escape.
It is worth noting that Capanna was offered $5,000 from Responsible New York. However, in keeping with her own pledge to limit contributions to no more than $2,000 per person and group, she only accepted $2,000.
It is also worth mentioning that This isn't the first example of Nozzolio using campaign dollars or taxpayer dollars for travel. Earlier this year, I obtained all the travel expenditures for our state legislators for the 2007 calendar year. Nozzolio was reimbursed $22,151.00 for his travel to Albany. Now, this might not seem significant to some. It might seem petty or small in the grand scheme of things. But during these hard economic times, I'm sure these legislators could find a much more cost effective way to travel that saves taxpayer dollars. And, most importantly, they should be paying for their own travel.
Of course, there is a difference between the two. Using taxpayer dollars to get refunded for travel is legal. Using campaign funds to pay for personal expenses is breaking election law.
So here you have two very different candidates. You have someone (Nozzolio) who is using his campaign money to help pay for personal expenses. Then you have another (Capanna) who pays for her own gas, own car and own insurance while taking no more than $2,000 in campaign contributions from individuals and groups and has run an honest, grassroots campaign. And why has she done this? She told me a few months ago that she hopes to stand on the floor of the New York State Senate and fight for campaign finance reform (REAL reform) while using herself as an example of what kind of reform we should have.
If that's not the kind of candidate we want to elect to the New York State Senate, I don't know who is.
If you think there has to be a better way to run a state than run it into the ground, you want someone new, someone smart, someone like Paloma Capanna, a family law attorney from Webster.
Messenger editors meet with scores of candidates every election, and we rarely find a challenger as knowledgeable and prepared as Capanna.
First and foremost, Capanna - a Democrat - said the state needs to balance its budget with judicious cuts spread over time to give agencies that rely on state money a chance to adjust their own spending.
Nozzolio calls for "cuts across the board," then backtracks, adding, "We're going to resist midyear cuts to school districts." He criticizes the state's Medicaid program as "lavish," but then takes credit for helping establish Child Health Plus and Family Health Plus, both Medicaid programs.
Capanna's positions seem more thought out, more clearly defined. The state must make bold changes, she says. Among them: Campaign finance reform to make Albany accountable, and universal health insurance to stop the rising ranks of uninsured and health-related bankruptcies.
Instead of sending premiums to insurance companies, which pay executives millions, she said the money should go to a state fund with people paying premiums based on their incomes.
Funding for schools must gradually move away from property taxes to income taxes, she said, noting the heavy property tax burden, particularly in Wayne County.
Capanna's positions are well thought out. She has invested her body and mind into this campaign. She has been canvassing this district for months now. All candidates invest their time and make great sacrifices to run for office. But few have worked as hard and in such a grassroots manner as Paloma Capanna.
The Democrat and Chronicle, the top daily newspaper covering the Rochester region, has endorsed two Democratic candidates for New York State Senate today. Paloma Capanna (SD-54) and David Nachbar (SD-55) received glowing endorsements today from the Democrat and Chronicle.
The endorsements were announced in an editorial today that also explained why the D & C refused to endorse any incumbents. They did not endorse a single incumbent - Democrat or Republican, Assembly or Senate - and only endorsed Capanna and Nachbar because they proved to them that they would actually change Albany.
From the D & C:
Among the challengers, only two, Democrats Paloma Capanna and David Nachbar, both candidates for the state Senate, persuaded us that they'd bring the kind of fresh, critical thinking needed to remake Albany. The Democrat and Chronicle enthusiastically endorses them.
Both campaigns have sent out press releases on these endorsements. You can read those below the fold.
The D & C also offered this interesting line about the area's incumbents:
It's not that the region's incumbents are worthless. Rather it's that they've failed to maximize their power to help bail out New York citizens.
The fact that the D & C only endorsed two candidates this time around really speaks volumes for the state of Albany. I'm glad the D & C sees it that way. I'm disappointed that they refused to endorse Rick Dollinger. In fact, they didn't even mention Dollinger's name in the piece announcing their two endorsements and their critiques of the incumbents. I found that to be interesting, but whatever the reason they have for not endorsing Dollinger should be explained. They explained why they didn't endorse Dollinger's opponent, Sen. Joe Robach. But nothing about why they wouldn't pick Dollinger.
In any event, this is a great day for two challengers who deserve plenty of respect and admiration. Capanna and Nachbar have proven time and time again that they will, if elected, go to Albany and change the ways that Albany's business is conducted. In an election year of change, reformers are necessary. Capanna and Nachbar fit that mold and that is why they received this endorsement.
Again, both campaigns' press releases are below the fold.
Another one of my favorite candidates? Paloma Capanna. She is running an outstanding campaign in SD-54 which is run based solely on grassroots principles. She doesn't have the big dollar donors that have come to dominate politics. What she has is a passionate following of supporters that are dedicated to her cause.
Today Capanna was endorsed by the Iron Workers Local 60 union, adding to a list of unions that have backed her campaign.
Paloma Capanna, candidate for the NYS Senate (D, WFP, Webster) today announced that her campaign has been endorsed by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers, Local 60.
Business Manager Gary Robb praised Capanna's commitment to working men and women and to the unionized construction crafts. "Paloma will be tireless in her efforts to get Albany working for the people of our region. Paloma has an understanding of the problems impacting people's daily lives that is rarely seen in a candidate."
Capanna thanked Robb for the endorsement, stating, "We would like to thank the Iron Workers at Local 60 for their support of our campaign and for their commitment to making a difference in this year's election."
This endorsement adds to others received from unions, including IBEW - Local 43 and 544, Boilermakers - Locals 7 and 175, Laborers - Local 633, Steelworkers - District 4, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers - Local 2, Teamsters - Local 317, Food & Commercial Workers - Local 1, and Operating Engineers - Local 545.
Aside from small dollar donors, Capanna has accepted contributions from unions. She believes (and rightfully so) that the unions represent large groups of people and that larger contribution (usually around $1,000) represents a contribution from many instead of a contribution from one.
Let's help Capanna out as well. If you are in the area, canvass for her, make calls for her and let's help her knock off an entrenched Republican who needs to go.
The email release below announces the details of the October 21 debate that incumbent Mike Nozzolio has at long last accepted a debate! This is huge because normally incumbents considered safe blow off their opponents debate requests. My take is that Nozzolio is feeling the heat of a true grass roots, people powered challenge for Capanna. Congratulations and Good luck Paloma!
Let the Debates Begin!
Today we received confirmation that my opponent has accepted the first debate invitation. On Tuesday, October 21, 2008, my opponent and I will debate at Cayuga County Community College. The debate will be filmed by students at their Telecommunications Department for broadcast that evening on Time Warner Cable Channel 11 at 8:00 p.m. For those of you not in the greater Auburn area, the video will become available for viewing on your computer through the website of The Citizen newspaper.
I'm also pleased to share that the Post Standard (Syracuse, with a Seneca-Cayuga edition) touted our race as "legitimately competitive" in Sunday's newspaper.
Please, take a moment to forward this e-mail to three of your friends to help to spread the word about our race. And, please squeeze an extra $5 out of your budget to help us make the critical, final media buy to spread the word of our campaign to the greatest number of voters. It's nearly Election Day.
Democracy is at its best when we all speak up and speak out!
Paloma Capanna has long been an advocate for issues affecting children and families which starts with her being a family law attorney for the last 16 years. She believes, among other things, that childhood poverty should be an important issue that we are talking about and focusing on.
"Because I have spent my career as a family law attorney, this endorsement is particularly meaningful to our campaign," said Capanna. "Social workers protect and strengthen opportunities for at risk populations, such as children living in poverty in rural areas and those confined to nursing homes."
Fred Newdom, MSW, Chairman of NASW-NYS PAC wrote that the endorsement recognizes Capanna's "dedication towards advancing the values and ethics upheld by the professional of social work."
Capanna has been a family law attorney for the past sixteen years, often working with Social Workers on matters of child custody, child protection, and termination of parental rights. She sees many opportunities for legislative action to improve the function of the Family Courts, including the use of Social Workers as Law Guardians to provide specialized skills to raise the voices of children.
This endorsement is a nice reward for the hard work by Capanna over the years. If elected to the New York State Senate, she will keep all of these issues in her mind and make sure that they are being talked about and not ignored.
- 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.
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:
I really like this from our candidates. Following last week's event here at City hall in NYC, a number of our upstate candidates are holding another event in Rochester. It's a great way to score some free media at a time when interest in these races is really beginning to pick up steam. (And trust me, that interest really is picking up. My server logs don't lie. Google action on these races is through the roof in the last few weeks.)
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:
Below is the recording of my show tonight featuring guest Paloma Capanna. I am working on getting more guests to appear on future shows and will target candidates, especially Democratic candidates for New York State Senate. But I am also trying to reserve time with congressional and Assembly candidates too.
NOTE: If you want to listen to the Capanna part of the show, fast forward to about 25 minutes in.
At 6 p.m. tonight will be the "season premiere" of The Robert Harding Show airing on BlogTalkRadio. I will be hosting my show every Monday and Wednesday leading up to Election Day.
I am honored to have Paloma Capanna on the show tonight as my first guest. Capanna is a Democrat running for New York State Senate in the 54th Senate District. She is challenging a well funded Republican, Sen. Michael Nozzolio, who hasn't faced opposition for his senate post since 1992 - the year he first won the seat.
I have interviewed Capanna previously but we didn't cover a lot of issues in that interview. Tonight we will discuss more issues as well as take phone calls and e-mails. If you want to call in, the number is 1-646-716-8492. If you are phone shy and would like to e-mail your questions in, send them to robert.harding22@gmail.com.
"The Pledge for Change is the checklist of what we need to do to get people involved in Albany and to make Albany responsive to people," said Capanna. "These are the reforms on which we are running. This is what we will fight for upon our election."
The four-points of the "Pledge for Change" are: (1) formation of an independent Legislative Ethics Commission; (2) public funding of state elections; (3) formation of an independent redistricting commission to combat gerrymandering; (4) opening the legislative process to the public.
Capanna has thus far signed three Pledges. The first campaign pledge was written and signed by Capanna in January 2008, relating to campaign fundraising and candidate financial disclosure. The second pledge was the "Fair Campaign Pledge," promising to campaign upon the issues and the facts.
It is unknown whether Capanna's opponent will sign the Pledge for Change.
Today it was announced that Capanna had accepted an offer to debate on October 21 at Cayuga Community College.
Paloma Capanna, candidate for the NYS Senate (D, WFP, Webster) today accepted an offer to debate her opponent, Michael Nozzolio (R, Fayette), offered by Cayuga Community College's Telecommunications Department and Time Warner Cable for Tuesday, October 21, 2008. The 50-minute debate will be filmed by CCC's students in Telecommunications to air the same day at 8:00 pm. The debate will then be posted to The Citizen's newspaper website.
"Candidate debates are the best opportunity for voters to see opposing candidates simultaneously in order to make informed decisions," said Capanna. "Debates are also an opportunity to get into detail on issues, such as universal health insurance, green energy for green-collared jobs, and tax relief."
This is a race to watch. Capanna is a candidate with a lot of grassroots support in this district. It is amazing how much her campaign has evolved over the last few months and especially during the summer months. With over 1,000 donors and a strong volunteer base, she is making noise in the 54th Senate District.
The Robert Harding Show has been on hiatus for awhile, but with the New York State Senate races heating up I have decided to revive the show at 6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday until Election Day.
Make no mistake: The race for the 54th Senate District seat currently held by Republican Sen. Michael Nozzolio is not going to be easy for Democrat Paloma Capanna. But she is doing everything in her power to make sure that Nozzolio hears her footsteps.
Paloma Capanna, candidate for the NYS Senate (D, Webster) today signed the "Fair Campaign Pledge" of the League of Women Voters and the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester. The signing ceremony took place at the Monroe County Office Building in Rochester. Capanna's opponent, Mike Nozzolio (R,C, Fayette), did not sign the Pledge and was not in attendance.
"The Fair Campaign Pledge is the gold standard of campaign integrity," said Capanna. "We will continue to conduct our campaign with a focus on issues and our future, without any resort to personal attacks."
The Pledge itself is a five-point list of dos and don'ts of ethical campaigning. The League of Women Voters - Rochester Metro Area and the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester also offer a procedure for filing a grievance in the event of an unfair practice. The procedure is available to all candidates who have signed the Pledge, regardless of whether their opponent has signed the Pledge or not.
This is the second campaign pledge that Nozzolio failed to sign. The first campaign pledge was written and signed by Capanna in January 2008, relating to campaign fundraising and candidate financial disclosure. Capanna supports public funding of state office elections and public disclosure of candidate finances.
Capanna has run a clean grassroots campaign to date and I don't see that changing leading up to November 4. I also don't see her grassroots fundraising abilities slowing down. With over 1,000 donors to her campaign, Capanna has something special going. If she doesn't win, she can still take great pride in the fact that she was able to reach many doors in the district and talk with many voters, 1,000 of whom decided to give to her campaign.
ANALYSIS SD-11 - Rating changed to Leans Republican: The rating was altered after research into this district and Sen. Padavan. The enrollment advantage goes to the Democrats and Jim Gennaro can run a strong campaign. But there is a reason Padavan has won this district over and over again. Is he vulnerable? To some extent he is. It is a Democratic year in a predominantly Democratic district so he should worry. His incumbency isn't in total danger though.
SD-25 - Primary between Connor and Squadron: The winner of the general will be a Democrat. The question is which one? Will it be the veteran Connor? Or will it be the challenger Squadron, who is mounting a very serious challenge to Connor's incumbent.
SD-61 - Three way Democratic primary: This is another important primary because this seat could turn blue in November. Ratzenhofer is a Republican in a slightly Republican district, but this is not a safe seat for the GOP. A Democrat can win this seat. Now we just need to settle a three-way Democratic contest before moving forward.
Yesterday it was announced that Capanna had met with her 1,000th donor. A press release from Capanna describes the occasion:
"I don't have much, but I want my grandson to have a better future," said the Grandmother from Webster as she put a handful of change into the Ziploc baggie. With that, Paloma Capanna secured her 1,000th individual donation in her "Change-for-Change" fundraising drive that has had her door-knocking throughout the 54th Senate District since June 3rd.
"Near everyone I speak with is fed up with Albany," described Capanna, "Our campaign has attracted supporters who, like me, want to achieve the goal of reforming Albany from within by winning this election."
Capanna added this about her efforts:
Capanna's campaign has been a grassroots effort from the beginning, with a focus on the very people she will represent, if elected. Instead of spending hours on the phone or going to New York City to chase a few big money donors, Capanna has been out, knocking on doors, attending small gatherings, and speaking at local events.
"It is wrong for the law to permit wealthy donors to give Senate candidates up to $15,500," Capanna states, noting that the median household income in our area is $43,000/year. In January 2008, Capanna signed a voluntary pledge to limit individual contributions to her campaign to $1,000. The average individual contribution to Capanna's campaign is $30.
It is Capanna's goal to win the election so that she can work towards aggressive campaign finance reform. "We won't see legislation for issues like universal health insurance until we remove the big money influence from Albany through publicly-funded elections. Our campaign is as close to a publicly funded election as they come."
This is something Capanna stressed when I met with her in late July. One of her big goals is to bring true campaign finance reform to Albany and that means a system of public financing in New York.
Also, Capanna has created an ActBlue page with a goal of $5,000 to raise money for more media and messaging.
This is a grassroots campaign to watch. Keep an eye on this race. The cash on hand here is deceiving. It's not the amount of money she has, but rather the number of donors Capanna has backing her.
When I walked into Paloma Capanna's office, I had to do a double-take. On the door was three Post-It notes next to each other, with each one having a number. The first had 8, the second had 2 and the last one had 5. The significance of that number could also be found on the wall next to Capanna's desk where six pages of donors along with a small picture of a piggy bank were affixed to the wall.
At the time, Capanna had 825 individual donors to her campaign. That number has since grown to, as of the last e-mail from Capanna, 951 donors. In an e-mail sent out Wednesday, Capanna was aiming for 1,000 donors by the end of the day on Saturday. She has also invited members of the press, including myself, to come walk door-to-door with her as she canvasses the 54th Senate District. According to Capanna, she is walking five days a week and will increase that to six nights a week as the election nears.
I also had a chance to meet a few Capanna for Senate volunteers who are putting in hours helping Capanna. Capanna said that she has one paid staffer (her campaign manager) and that everyone else are volunteers donating their time to help her campaign.
So how grassroots is the Capanna campaign? Capanna has a fundraising drive called "Change for Change" where donors can collect their loose change and contribute to Capanna's campaign. Capanna told me of a couple of people who, when Capanna showed up on their doorstep, had already collected change for her. "Change for Change" is the reason why Capanna has so many donors and has so many people invested in her campaign. Most of those donors reside in the district, giving them the ability to vote for her in November.
Capanna's platform used to consist of universal health care, creating green energy jobs and protecting the environment. However, after canvassing the district and meeting voters, she has learned that there is more than meets the eye with the issues.
"There is no one single issue anymore," Capanna said. "There are many issues and it will take multiple pieces of legislation that will have to happen [to address those issues]."
There is one issue that is important to Capanna and that is poverty. The first time I heard about Capanna came at the New York State Democratic Rural Conference Convention in Saratoga Springs early in April when she gave her presentation (or speech) on the topic of poverty. It was very well-received and impressed many observers. A few months later, she gave a similar talk in Delaware County.
From her bio:
Charitable work is also important to Paloma. Paloma has spent considerable hours for more than fifteen years performing pro bono (free) legal work through the Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County. Paloma has also served on the Board to Crisis Nursery of Greater Rochester and Hope Hall School. She is committed to children in poverty and at risk of domestic violence.
This is a very important issue for Capanna. But she didn't stop there.
At the time, Capanna had 825 individual donors to her campaign. That number has since grown to, as of the last e-mail from Capanna, 951 donors. In an e-mail sent out Wednesday, Capanna was aiming for 1,000 donors by the end of the day on Saturday. She has also invited members of the press, including myself, to come walk door-to-door with her as she canvasses the 
