This will be a tough seat to win, but it definitely is be doable. I'll cover this race closely. The challenger for the State Senate seat is Kevin Martin, I wish him the best of luck. From the O-D:
Clinton resident and attorney Kevin Martin will run on the Democratic ticket, Oneida County Democratic Committee Chairman William Morris II said Friday.
"He has done a lot of legal work across the district and across Oneida County," Morris said. "He is very astute politically, and he does not like a lot of the things that have happened in Oneida County over the last 10 to15 years."
Morris said Martin would be an advocate for the area and understood the issues.
Martin, who is 48, could not be reached Friday. He is a graduate of Hobart & William Smith College and currently works for Kernan and Kernan law firm in Utica. Martin lives in Clinton with his wife, Christin, and their four children, Christin Martin said.
Griffo, a former Rome Mayor and Oneida county executive, said he was unfazed by the fact he had opposition, though he didn't know Martin.
"That's nothing new to me," he said. "I've never really focused on the individual who may be challenging me for the office. I've always tried to present myself and my credentials, my positions on issues."
This could be a vulnerable year for Griffo.
The state Senate, which has long been dominated by the Republican Party, is within two seats of switching to Democratic control. The balance is now 32 Republicans to 30 Democrats.
That means a viable Democratic candidate could get a windfall of support.
"State Democrats really, really want to pick up the Senate," said Phil Klinkner, associate dean of students for Academics and the James S. Sherman professor of government at Hamilton College. Klinkner has worked as a consultant on some Democratic campaigns.
"I think Griffo could be really vulnerable, but a lot depends on who the candidate is and how much money there is," he said, adding that he's not familiar with Martin.
But Oneida County Republican Committee Chairman George Joseph said Griffo was doing a good job.
"Joe is pretty ingrained in the area," Joseph said. "He's had a year to get the job under his belt. I think Joe has worked hard at his job."
