When I worked on my friend Brian Keeler's race back in 2006, it was widely rumored that SD-41 incumbent, Steve Saland, had actually wanted to retire in 2004, but Joe Bruno had begged him stick it out. He did the same thing in '06 and in the lead up to this year's race. It was obvious to many in the district that Saland's heart just wasn't in it anymore. Of course, he still beat us, but it's awfully hard to compete with all that taxpayer funded mail as well as an incumbent stomping across the district handing out millions of dollars of other people's money all the while claiming credit for it.
Liz is reporting about the rumors surrounding an impending retirement by Saland. I'm here to tell you tht all the denials coming from both the Saland camp and from his self groomed heir apparent Marc Molinaro are bullshit. (Molinaro will be a tough opponent, but check out the registration numbers in SD-41. It's a PDF file, btw. This a very, very winnable seat, Messrs Espada, Diaz et al.) He's already told the local GOP folks that he's done. Steve Saland is simply not going to continue in a job he doesn't want anymore as part of the Senate minority. Period.
Add to that the rumors swirling around Senate franking king Hugh Farley as well as Owen Johnson and others, and well, you can see the problem now faced by the so called "Gang of Four." If GOP senators, none of whom have ever spent a day a in the minority and have no desire to do so, start jumping ship, the influence of the "gang" is greatly diminished in short order.
Saland is as good as gone, folks. Farley will not be far behind.
If I were one of the gangsters, I'd be cutting my deal with the new majority right this second. The rug is about to be pulled right from under their feet.
My money is on Saland as the first to jump ship because, well, he's already all but officially done so.
Ken Dow is running in a tough race against Sen. Stephen Saland in the 41st Senate District. But he received a boost yesterday when he was endorsed by New York's senior senator, Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Senator Charles Schumer has announced his endorsement of Ken Dow, Democratic candidate for the NY State Senate in the 41st District (Dutchess and Columbia Counties).
Senator Schumer said, "Ken Dow understands the strains facing working families and businesses, and he is prepared to lead New York forward in these difficult and changing times. Ken is committed to the serious steps we need to keep New York moving forward, such as reforming our burdensome tax structure and modernizing our infrastructure and energy systems. Ken Dow is the kind of thoughtful, progressive, and hard-working leader we need in the State Senate, and I am happy to give him my support."
Ken Dow said, "It is an honor to receive the support of Senator Schumer. No one works harder or more effectively for the people of New York, and I look forward to following his example in my service to the people of our district and state."
While Sen. Schumer is busy trying to increase our majority in the U.S. Senate, he is also doing his part to help New York Democrats take back the New York State Senate. This endorsement is just one example of his efforts, but he has been more than willing to reach out and endorse state senate candidates who are in close or competitive races.
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:
I made it down to City Hall today to meet a good number of state Senate candidates today. They were joined by Minority Leader Smith as well as Senators Klein and Savino. They were assembled there on the City Hall steps to call out the Senate Republicans who, when faced with yet more problems with the city and state's economy, still don't believe they need to come back to Albany to address it and still are offering up the same tired and discredited solutions they always do, the ones we've learned time and time again don't work.
I was able to speak with a number of them after the press conference and I'll have video shortly of Joe Mesi, Kristen McElroy and Jim Gennarro as well as many more pics. Here's McElroy for now. I have to say that I was quite impressed with both McElroy and Mesi as it was the first time I had met either one.
Jim Gennarro, Dan Squadron, Kristen McElroy and Joe Addabbo.
Democratic Senate Candidates Blast Republicans for Failing New York
(New York, NY) Throughout their 40 years in control of the State Senate, Republicans have failed to meet the needs of working class New Yorkers. With a struggling economy, rising energy costs and the potential loss of jobs in the financial sector, 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.
Ken Dow, who is challenging Sen. Stephen Saland in SD-41, has filed over 2,800 signatures to ensure his place on the Democratic line in November. Dow actually submitted more pages of petitions than Saland did, but what that means for Saland's petition signature performance is uncertain.
Dow is in an interesting district that our very own NYBri contested in 2006. The Democratic and Republican enrollment is nearly identical, with 61,786 Democrats and 61,855 Republicans. There are also 54,195 Blanks in the district, making this one that Dow has a shot at winning.
Dow issued this statement about his petition signature success and the support he has received to date:
We are gratified by the broad support we received in both Dutchess and Columbia Counties, and very pleased with the results we achieved, in obtaining over 2800 petition signatures. Our objective was not to make a show, but to collect a large enough number to secure our presence on the ballot and to ensure that any challenge would be futile. That we so easily accomplished that reflects very well on the underlying organizational support that we can rely on to achieve victory in November.
Dow sent me a video of his nomination address to the Dutchess County Democratic Committee. You can get a feel of what kind of candidate Dow is from this video:
Tuesday, February 26
10:00 AM
County Courthouse, Hudson
We hope you will join us. Please pass this invitation along to your friends.
On Tuesday, February 26, Ken Dow, former Columbia County Democratic Chairman, will announce his candidacy for New York State Senate, 41st District, Columbia and Dutchess Counties. The announcement will take place at 10 a.m. on the front steps of the Columbia County Courthouse, 401 Union Street, Hudson, NY. He will be running for the seat currently held by 18-year Republican incumbent Steve Saland.
As many of you know, I worked on a campaign against Saland last cycle, the campaign of our own NYBri. I'll just say we softened him up for ya, Ken. Go get him!
Senator Charles Schumer has announced his endorsement of Ken Dow, Democratic candidate for the NY State Senate in the 41st District (Dutchess and Columbia Counties).
