AD-102: Smith's Petitions Challenged By Miller, Primary Opponent

by: robert.harding

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 13:18:20 PM EDT

Joel Miller and Gary Levine scrambled in an effort to get Jonathan Smith off the ballot.
Surrogates of each campaign issued challenges to Jonathan Smith's petitions yesterday. Only 500 signatures were required and in a stunning show of strength, nearly 70 volunteers carried petitions and collected over 1300 signatures in support of the endorsed Democratic and Working Families Party candidate in the 102nd Assembly District. Miller is notorious for challenging the will of the voters and trying to silence critics or challengers.

Jonathan Smith stated, "Mr. Miller must be seriously worried that our campaign is going to ask why he has done nothing to ease the crushing burden of the broken property tax system in New York?"

"Why has he voted "no" on ensuring pay equity for women?"
"Why hasn't he put forward any plan to revitalize our local economy?"
"Why does he oppose providing healthcare to all New Yorkers?"

Smith continued, "We want to have a serious discussion about how to make our community better, while Joel Miller wants to hide from his record."

Campaign Manager Jonathan Wright added, "This is another example of Joel Miller's and Gary Levine's contempt for the democratic process. We have knocked on over 2500 doors and made more than 1000 phone calls to spread our positive message of providing universal healthcare, fixing the broken property tax system and creating jobs through the new energy economy. It is not surprising that Levine, who until last year was a lifelong Republican, would also stoop to these litigious tactics - neither Miller nor Levine are focused on the issues that are affecting our communities."

There are a few reasons why I despise the petition process. This is one of them. Just the challenge itself makes it seem like Smith has done something wrong. We shouldn't be treating candidates like criminals and investigate their signatures. Let the Board of Elections take care of that. The candidates shouldn't be allowed to make challenges based on partisan differences.

NY-21: Tonko, Brooks File Petitions

by: robert.harding

Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 11:48:31 AM EDT

First, from the Tonko campaign:

Paul Tonko, Democratic candidate for New York's 21st Congressional District, filed designating petitions with the New York State Board of Elections today in order to be placed on the ballot for the Democratic primary on September 9th, 2008.  With over 7,000 signatures from all seven counties in the Congressional District, Paul Tonko submitted over five times the number required by law to qualify for the Democratic primary.

"I am encouraged by support that is both broad and deep throughout the district," said Paul Tonko.  "I am profoundly grateful to the more than 300 retirees, working men and women and students who volunteered time out of their busy schedules to support my campaign.  My campaign depends on the dedication of volunteers and this accomplishment proves just how committed they are to my candidacy."

Here is Brooks on her signatures that were submitted today:

Congressional candidate Tracey Brooks, along with Jack McNulty and campaign chairwoman Ellen McNulty Ryan, today filed over 5,000 Democratic petition signatures with the New York State Board of Elections, over four times the required amount to be placed on the ballot for the September 9th Democratic Primary in the 21st Congressional District race to replace retiring Congressman Michael McNulty.

"I'm proud to announce that we collected more than 5,000 signatures through the hard work and dedication of over 200 volunteers, who spent countless hours getting signatures from supportive Democrats in neighborhoods across all seven counties of our district," said Brooks. "I will be on the Democratic ballot for Congress to undo the damage done by George Bush, to stand up to the Republicans and special interests in Washington, and to make our government accountable again - to our families, to our communities, to the people."

Based on petition signatures, you can see that this really is a three-candidate race. Next stop? September 9.