SD-51: You Get What You Pay For

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jul 30, 2008 at 13:32:00 PM EDT

Consider the bill Seward sponsored this year that would allow the auto insurance industry to raise their rates up to 5% every year without any approval whatsoever from state regulators. The bill doesn't have a constituency, there was no one pushing it all, outside of the industry itself, but that was good enough for Seward to push it through anyway. I mean, you "dance with them that brung ya", after all. And let's not forget that New Yorkers already pay the second highest auto insurance rates in the country.

Recently, the Utica Observer-Dispatch called Seward's office and asked them for an explanation. Seward's office's reply is priceless:

Seward's office says the measure would help the public by also giving insurers the flexibility to lower rates quickly.

Yes, someone on the public payroll was forced to say that with a straight face.

The Utica O-D goes on to tell even more of the story:

* In the first half of 2008, nearly one-half of the $177,484 Seward's campaign raised came from dozens of insurance industry-related companies and organizations.

* Insurance-industry donations also represented many of the largest sums received by the Seward campaign.

Among them were $5,500 donations from both Preferred Mutual Insurance Co. of New Berlin and the Independent Agents Political Action Committee of DeWitt, and $5,000 from The Standard Fire Insurance Co. of Hartford, Conn., records show.

Of the almost 190 bills Seward sponsored in 2007-08, more than 65 were immediately referred to the Insurance Committee, according to information on a state legislative Web site.

According to good-government advocates, the size and scope of the insurance-industry donations raise questions about Seward's accountability to his constituents.

"Clearly, insurance guys are giving money thinking they can get something out of it," said Russ Haven, legislative counsel for the Albany-based nonprofit New York Public Interest Research Group, which opposed the auto-insurance bill.

"It's about wanting to maintain relationships and get access, and certainly they think it's a wise investment in the system," he said.

The state Senate "has been much more pro-insurance industry than the Assembly, and has favored a free-market approach," Haven said, pointing out that New York has the second-highest auto insurance rates in the country. "We don't think consumers are served well by that."

I think few people would argue that New York consumers are well served by someone who helped make it possible for the auto insurance industry to raise rates even further without any regulatory oversight. But, then again, the industry has invested wisely and it never really was about you.

You get what you pay for.

On the web: Don Barber for State Senate.

Paterson Signs Gas-drilling Bill -- Barber (SD-51) Lauds Decision to Require GEIS

by: robinia

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 16:40:55 PM EDT

In effect, this does exactly what SD-51 candidate Don Barber has suggested: puts a moratorium on drilling until we have studied the environmental impacts of the new techniques being used.  His campaigns' analysis is just so good (Mike, you are incomparable!), I'm just going to put the whole thing here, after the flip.  Read it-- this is important stuff!

Don's campaign is calling their approach-- which the Governor took-- "conservative" and challenging Seward (who called it "irresponsible") to debate the issue.  Interesting!

(Barber for Senate) a story that should be spread far and wide

by: Transplanted New Yorker

Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 15:46:07 PM EDT

This is just something I wanted to share that I heard about today.

So I am pretty sure TAP covered this a while back, but many of you probably are aware that Don has called for a moratorium on natural gas drilling, which is a big deal in a large segment of our district. It is something that affects all of us as New Yorkers, though, whether the drilling is directly in your own backyard or somewhere else in our state.

Here is the deal in layman's terms:

Basically you have this big natural gas boom taking place. Some of the potential spots in NY rival the size of oil fields in TX.

When the people know, however, about implications and are presented with knowledge and information, you get movements. We need one.

I hope I grabbed your attention...

New Yorkers DominateThis Week's ActBlue Top 10

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 09:27:22 AM EDT

1. Darcy Burner WA-08 $47,589.77
2. Kay Hagan NC-Sen $27,568.33
3. Rick Noriega TX-Sen $22,627.38
4. Donald Barber NY-SD-51 $11,440.00
5. Barack Obama President $11,179.93
6. Paul Newell NY-HD-64 $10,425.00
7. Michael McMahon NY-13 $9,211.33
8. Gary Peters MI-09 $8,587.75
9. David Nachbar NY-SD-55 $7,751.00
10.Tracey Brooks NY-21 $6,085.00

That's right, fully half of the top 10 are New Yorkers and three of those five are state-level candidates, the first time any state level candidate have ever been in the top 10.

Don Barber is the highest ranked New Yorker at number 4. Number 5? Barack Obama. Wrap your head around that one.

Paul Newell comes in 6th, a strong showing and outpacing every federal candidate from New York on the list.

NY-13 candidate Mike McMahon comes in 7th.

SD-51 challenger David Nachbar in 9th.

Tracey Brooks rounds out the top 10.

It is really heartening to see half of the list from New York, but also that three of those five are state level candidates. ActBlue is an amazing tool and I congratulate those candidates and campaigns that have embraced it. I also salute those donors who have given via ActBlue. The GOP doesn't have anything like it and their donors aren't as comfortable giving to candidates online.

Go New York!

P.S. If your campaign is not yet on ActBlue, change that. As you can see, ActBlue is a great tool even for state level candidates. This is a big part of how we run campaigns now. Get with it.  

SD-51: ActBlue Champ Barber's "Little Engine That Could" Has a Head of Netroots Steam

by: robinia

Tue Jul 15, 2008 at 08:40:46 AM EDT

At a thank-you party for supporters Sunday, Don said he liked the metaphor: Barber and his supporters are like the "little engine that could"... change Albany. Now that we get the news that billionaire Golisano may be throwing his weight behind SD-51 incumbent Republican Senate Whip Seward, well, our mountaintop to climb just grew a bit taller.

No prob.  Together we are strong-- like, quantitatively, impressively strong.  Like: the word from Marissa Dorgan (ActBlue's Director of Strategy and Communications) is that, as of last night, Don Barber is the first state candidate to make the ActBlue Top Ten list! Martha Robertson, the Barber Campaign Fundraising Director, says:

As of tonight the Barber campaign has received 315 donations on ActBlue (donations, not unduplicated donors, since some people have given multiple times). That is more than twice the number of gifts of all other NY Dem Senate challengers combined (their 154 compared to our 315)... Also, in terms of total dollars, we have about 50% more than Gennaro, who has the next highest total.

Pass on the good news! Full report on the Barber July 15 filing to come soon.

How many netroots activists and sincere local supporters does it take to overcome entrenched special interests joined by a billionaire biz tycoon? We are about to see.

SD-51 Don Barber & Supporters-- The Little Engine that Could.... Change Albany

by: robinia

Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 12:21:23 PM EDT

That's Don Barber's campaign. No big donors, all little ones.  And, we are really, really close to the top of a major ridge.

I just got a chat back from the campaign-- we are within five thousand dollars of the goal we must reach by midnight tonight to leverage DSSC funding.  Some pledges will continue to come in on line today.  But, if you can spare even a bit to help all of us push Don over the top, now is the time.  http://barberforsenate.com

If you are wondering why you should support Don even though you don't live in his district, please see my previous post on this here.

SD-51: Barber Files 2,600 Signatures

by: robert.harding

Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 18:23:53 PM EDT

Barber got over two and a half times the number of signatures required for a Democratic state senate candidate in SD-51 (1,000 signatures).

From the Barber campaign:

Don Barber's campaign delivered 307 pages of petitions including over 2600 signatures to the Board of Elections in Albany yesterday, ensuring the Caroline Democrat the first line on the state senate ballot. Barber's 2600 signatures exceed the required number for the Democratic Party slot by 260%. Barber also secured the Working Families Party line, more than doubling the signatures needed for that party's spot on the ballot.  

Barber's petitions rolled in from all seven counties in the 51st state Senate district. Volunteers and campaign workers signed up supporters from Catskill to Caroline. "What's important about the number of people who signed my petitions is that it shows the depth and breadth of support we're getting," Barber said. "When you get signatures from all areas of all seven counties, it shows how much people want change. They're tired of the same old leadership."

Barber opposes gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district lines to protect the incumbent and discourage opponents from challenging entrenched legislators. "People in our district have had enough of gerrymandering that limits their choice of candidates. They signed our petitions because they want a choice, and they want change."

Don Barber is one of the best candidates the Democratic Party has. I hope the state party comes to its senses and gives Barber the attention his race deserves. While money has its role in the current political system, I haven't been able to find a campaign that has more of a grassroots theme than Don Barber's.  

SD-51: So, I Finally Met Don Barber

by: phillip anderson

Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 15:51:30 PM EDT

He's having another event here in the city tonight (Details in the extended entry) and Don has agreed to take a few minutes to speak to us on camera. For those who haven't yet met Don, I'll soon have some video of him speaking directly to us.

Our good friend Bouldin was there as well last night and I completely agree with what he had to say:

Very impressive, for several reasons. First of all, he's a nice guy, who I'm pretty confident isn't going to turn into an aloof elected aristocrat like some of the GOP senators one might care to mention.

Then, there's his platform: Don is running on a really simple idea that's gotten short shrift in New York for a while: that we're all in this together, that jobs matter, that the yawning gap between rich and poor in this state is scandalous, that we need to take better care of each other and the world we live in. As he says, he grew up on a farm, and it shows: the man is steeped in the values of a small, close-knit community that exercises stewardship of the land. Yes, that matters.

...

In every cycle, there's a competition between candidates for the affections of the netroots and grassroots at a given level of government. In 2006, Brian Keeler held that pole position for State Senate candidates (and rightly so, because Brian is awesome). This time around, if I had to take a guess at this point, I'd say Don Barber is going to be the marquee grassroots Senate candidate.

I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment and I'll add the following: Not only is Don a great candidate who is building a true grassroots campaign up in the 51st, the 51st District itself provides some really excellent opportunities for both volunteer mobilization as well as a great chance to educate people around the state about why it's important to finally retake the state Senate. The very shape of the district, the infamous "Abraham Lincoln riding a vacuum cleaner" district, is such a monstrosity. It's simply indefensible, but it does lend itself to bringing volunteers in from around the state. There are few places in New York that are more than an hour or two drive away from this thing. A sustained effort from activists statewide could really make a difference in this race and the very shape of the district makes it easy for folks from all over to get to at least part of it.

Secondly, the shape of the district itself should be made an issue. I think the campaign should start putting the image of the district on all sorts of stuff with a tagline like "There's a reason that our state Senate district looks like this and it has absolutely nothing to do with representing us or our interests in Albany." I think such a message, besides being a potentially effective campaign piece, is also an opportunity to educate folks about reform issues like the absolutely ridiculous gerrymandering of legislative districts across the state.

I guess what I'm saying is that Barber's campaign seems ideal to me for a concentration of our efforts. It appears to me to be an excellent opportunity for the New York net/grassroots to get involved in and behind a great campaign and one that is going to be extremely tough, but is indeed winnable. There are certainly other races worthy of our efforts. I imagine many folks down here in NYC will be spending some time and money on races closer to home in Queens and Long Island, but the 51st is a great chance for those from pretty much anywhere in New York who are willing to roll up their sleeves, put their walking shoes on and open up their wallets.

Who's with me?

On the web: Don Barber for State Senate.

Barber Event Tonight - It's ON

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 17:06:43 PM EDT

Ignore this. Apparently it is still on.

See y'all there.

SD-51: Come Out For Don Barber TOMORROW In NYC

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 12:49:31 PM EDT

Don is fast becoming my favorite Senate candidate this year and this race just got all the more competitive given the news of the past day or so. Here's what I wrote about Don last week:

Don is running to represent the 51st SD, a job currently held by GOP incumbent Jim Seward. You remember the 51st, don't you? It's the infamous "Abraham Lincoln riding on a vacuum cleaner" district, a district so ridiculously gerrymandered that its very shape is the butt of jokes. There's a reason the district looks like it does, and it's got nothing at all to do with serving the resident's interests. None.

Don is running to change that and he's doing it in a really interesting and inspiring way. He's building a real, honest-to-God grassroots campaign up there. He's working his tail off and engaging folks where they are. He hasn't been afraid of putting forth some rather bold and interesting ideas. He hasn't been shy about calling out his opponent for what he actually is, "a roadblock to reform". He's also proven that he can raise money, essentially matching the incumbent nearly dollar for dollar before he had even announced.

In short, I am very bullish on Don Barber's candidacy. I think he's a great candidate and I really like the kind of campaign he's running. It reminds me in many ways of John Hall's campaign for Congress in 2006, a campaign that genuinely inspires folks. This definitely going to be a race to watch and I have a feeling that many people from our community will be involved in it in one way or another.

I'm very glad that Don is coming to NYC. I've yet to meet him in person and am eager to do so. I also hope to see as many of you as possible there as well. Don is a great candidate, one definitely worthy of our support.

Come on out, y'all!

SD-51: DFA Endorses Don Barber

by: phillip anderson

Thu Jun 19, 2008 at 15:32:59 PM EDT

Democracy for America Boosts Barber's Senate Bid
Top Grass Roots Organization Energizes Don Barber's Campaign

State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) scored his third major endorsement in the last two weeks when Democracy for America threw its weight behind his candidacy. DFA specializes in raising funds for candidates and providing campaign workers skilled in door-to-door grassroots outreach. DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in California's 11th Congressional District.

Recently, Barber reeled in endorsements from the Working Families Party and Citizen Action, two other grassroots powerhouses.

"Don Barber has a long and impressive record as a public servant and businessman and Democracy for America is proud to endorse his campaign," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA.  "Don Barber is just the type of innovative, progressive person we need in Albany." Barber welcomed DFA's support, noting just how important activists' energy was in shaping a winning team. "A good campaign has to have smart, devoted volunteers. Democracy for America's members are among the best. They're going to be a key force in our ground game."  Barber, who has been highlighting health care reform and protecting the local environment, said, "DFA has been a strong advocate for universal, quality, affordable health care.  In addition, DFA has been a leader in the battle to resolve the global climate crisis. We are really allies in this fight. I am honored to have their endorsement."

Tarah Rowse, Barber's campaign manager, said, "Since the first days of our campaign, we focused on building a grassroots army to carry Don's message. It's a great challenge to reach voters in our rural district, but with DFA on our side, we're confident we have the people power to reach into every corner of all seven counties."

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director of Democracy for America was enthusiastic about Barber's bid for office.  "Don Barber has shown time and again, whether in his role as an elected official or as a small businessman, that he has the vision and foresight to tackle tough issues and work to advance progressive values. Don Barber will bring his years of experience to Albany for the benefit of his constituents and all New Yorkers."

Well done, Don.

On the web: Don Barber's ActBlue Page.

SD-51: Come Out And Support Don Barber In NYC Next Tuesday!

by: phillip anderson

Tue Jun 17, 2008 at 11:00:12 AM EDT

Don is running to represent the 51st SD, a job currently held by GOP incumbent Jim Seward. You remember the 51st, don't you? It's the infamous "Abraham Lincoln riding on a vacuum cleaner" district, a district so ridiculously gerrymandered that its very shape is the butt of jokes. There's a reason the district looks like it does, and it's got nothing at all to do with serving the resident's interests. None.

Don is running to change that and he's doing it in a really interesting and inspiring way. He's building a real, honest-to-God grassroots campaign up there. He's working his tail off and engaging folks where they are. He hasn't been afraid of putting forth some rather bold and interesting ideas. He hasn't been shy about calling out his opponent for what he actually is, "a roadblock to reform". He's also proven that he can raise money, essentially matching the incumbent nearly dollar for dollar before he had even announced.

In short, I am very bullish on Don Barber's candidacy. I think he's a great candidate and I really like the kind of campaign he's running. It reminds me in many ways of John Hall's campaign for Congress in 2006, a campaign that genuinely inspires folks. This definitely going to be a race to watch and I have a feeling that many people from our community will be involved in it in one way or another.

I'm very glad that Don is coming to NYC. I've yet to meet him in person and am eager to do so. I also hope to see as many of you as possible there as well. Don is a great candidate, one definitely worthy of our support.

See ya then!

On the web: Don Barber for State Senate.

SD-51: Barber Wants Moratorium On Gas Drilling

by: robert.harding

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 15:32:44 PM EDT

Today, Barber called for a moratorium on gas drilling.

Citing environmental and land rights concerns, as well as disturbances to local communities, state Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) called for a moratorium on gas drilling and leasing in local counties today. Recent moves to purchase mineral rights lease agreements and develop wells in our region have created "a heightened awareness of our vulnerability," he said.

"A gold rush for land leases in our region is on, but comprehensive protections aren't in place," Barber said today. "The DEC and the legislature have to step up and address the concerns of residents who are worried about what will happen to their water and their land. They need to provide a pathway to allow for gas exploration that puts property owners and local governments on a level playing field with the gas drilling companies."

...

Barber pointed out that local governments have been left out of the process. "Local infrastructure will come under intense pressure from this gold rush. Heavy truck traffic will damage local roads, and noise pollution during the drilling process is intense. Meanwhile, local governments have to pick up the tab for whatever happens to their infrastructure."

"We have to slow down and examine these issues very carefully until we can ensure an environmentally sensitive way to develop this resource," he said. "We shouldn't move forward until every protection for our environment and our communities is in place."

Barber is very strong on issues of energy and the environment. Those aren't his only issues he is addressing. He is talking about health care, tax reform, economic development and education also. But when it comes to energy and the environment, he has a great plan and has great knowledge on these issues from his time as a town supervisor in the Town of Caroline.

Don Barber is not a sleeper candidate. He is a bona fide candidate ready to win in November.  

SD-51: Citizen Action Endorses Barber

by: robert.harding

Sun Jun 08, 2008 at 13:49:26 PM EDT

Citizen Action is a good government group that advocates for affordable health care, better wages, education and campaign finance reform, among other issues.

From the press release announcing the endorsement of Barber:

"Citizen Action is proud to throw its support behind Don Barber," said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action.  "He is a strong fighter for working families. Whether the issue is health care, education funding or clean elections, Don Barber is on the right side, the side of hard-working New Yorkers. We have 20,000 members in our grassroots organization, and they will rally behind Don in this battle."

Barber expressed his gratitude for Citizen Action's vote of confidence. "Citizen Action represents all the right values," he said. "We worked hard for their endorsement because we know they put the needs of New York's families first. Their call for clean elections and campaign finance reform gets to the root of Albany's gridlock. They want to take big money and influence buying out of our state elections, and so do I."

Scharff was particularly critical of the 22-year incumbent Jim Seward's ties to insurance companies. "As chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, Seward has blocked every attempt to control HMO rates. These companies are making windfall profits-rates have risen 93% since 2001. And it's no secret that Seward's money comes largely from insurance companies and their lobbyists. That's why he puts insurance company profits first, and upstate families last."

This endorsement shows what type of leader Barber is and will be in the New York State Senate. He is on the right side of many progressive causes and Citizen Action recognized his candidacy today with an important endorsement.  

SD-51: Barber: "New Yorkers Have HMO Sticker Shock"

by: robert.harding

Thu May 29, 2008 at 14:26:21 PM EDT

Declaring that "New Yorkers have HMO sticker shock," State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) called for immediate reform of New York's healthcare system Wednesday evening at Oneonta's Town Hall. Barber opened his speech with these simple words: "We need quality, affordable universal health care now." In his remarks, Mark Dunlea, Associate Director of the Hunger Action Network, made a detailed case for a single-payer system.

The event was sponsored by the Coalition for Democracy of Central New York.

Barber, who believes that "Universal health care is a basic human right, not a commodity," noted that currently 2.5 million New Yorkers lack health care today. He also pointed out that New Yorkers with health insurance are coming under increasing financial pressure due to the skyrocketing cost of private coverage. "The quality of coverage for the insured is eroding rapidly despite higher deductibles and co-pays.," he said.

Great stuff, again, from Don Barber. I'm telling you - this is a race worth watching. Barber is not a pushover. He is a serious candidate and can win in SD-51.

More from the Barber press release below the fold.  

SD-51: Barber Says Wind Power Should Be Locally Controlled

by: robert.harding

Wed May 21, 2008 at 15:32:09 PM EDT

In a speech to the Cherry Valley Committee on Alternative Energy Wednesday evening, State Senate candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline) outlined the way he worked with the Town of Caroline to develop an energy independence plan. Barber, the Caroline Supervisor, advocates producing an array of alternative energy sources, including solar and non-food source biofuels, but his innovative wind power proposal for his town drew the most interest.

Reunion Power's recent Cherry Valley wind power application sparked considerable acrimony in the town. In sharp contrast, Barber's Caroline wind power project has drawn wide community support. "The town exercises direct control all the way along. That's the crux of it, and that's why there's so little opposition in my town and quite a bit of community support. The town finances it, the town builds it, and the town takes all the profits."

Barber has been an active environmentalist since the 1980s when he testified in Washington in favor of creating the Finger Lakes National Forest. Under his leadership, the Town of Caroline became only the second in the state to buy all of its power from green sources, and Barber recently participated in a successful drive to provide energy-saving bulbs to every household in the town.

"The incumbent is talking green lately, despite his mediocre record on the environment. He's the Majority Whip, part of the leadership. That same leadership blocked all kinds of pro-environment legislation in the last session. One glaring example is the way they blocked the Lighting Efficiency bill," Barber said. "It would have established a schedule of energy efficiency standards for lighting and required manufacturers to reduce mercury in certain lights. It also would have required manufacturers to recycle lights containing mercury. The incumbent and his allies killed that bill by refusing to bring it to the floor."

You can read the rest of the Barber press release below the fold.

On the Town of Caroline website, there is a page dedicated to the town's wind energy efforts. Barber has been front and center on this issue in his town and will take this fight to Albany with him.  

SD-51: A Letter

by: robert.harding

Tue May 13, 2008 at 14:05:28 PM EDT

Hotel workers talked about many things at the event, but certainly one thing that stood out was the low starting pay that is typical at local hotels. Most start at the NYS minimum wage of $7.15 and often don't rise much above that. Add the less than full-time, full-year work that is typical, and it is clear why many hotel workers struggle with poverty.

But what does this have to do with Senator Seward? Well a lot in my opinion.

As low as the wage is and as poor as these hard working members of our community are, they would be worse off if Jim Seward had his way.

If Seward had his way and succeeded in 2004 in his effort to block legislation to increase the NYS minimum wage, these workers today would likely be making $5.85/hour not $7.15. Luckily, Seward did not get his wish and on December 6, 2004 an overwhelming majority of the Republican-dominated State Senate voted for the increase and overturned the Governor's veto. Only 7 other Senators joined Seward on that day in his lonely stand against fairness.

What a powerful letter. In the 51st, this shows how out of touch with working class workers Seward is.  

SD-51: Don Barber Endorsed By Aubertine, Valesky And Lifton

by: robert.harding

Thu Apr 17, 2008 at 11:07:39 AM EDT

From the e-mailed press release:

Universal health care was a central theme in Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton's endorsement. As she pointed out, "The Assembly passed a Universal Health Care bill years ago which would provide accessible, affordable health care to all New Yorkers. But it has never had a Republican sponsor in the Senate, and so never seen the light of day in that house. We've passed legislation eight times now that requires the Insurance Department to hold public hearings and review any request from an insurance company or an HMO for a premium rate increase of over 5%. That bill has languished in the Senate Insurance Committee for many years."

She went on to single out the incumbent's role in rising HMO costs. "Jim Seward has been the chair of that committee since 2000. During all that time, we know that health insurance premiums soared, along with industry profits, and tens of thousands of New Yorkers lost private health care insurance. All while Jim Seward has chaired the committee that could take action. We need Don Barber to replace Jim Seward in the State Senate."

Sen. Aubertine, whose recent win in his rural upstate district brought Democrats within two seats of a State Senate majority, highlighted Barber's focus on families struggling to makes ends meet.  "Don Barber has what it takes to make a great representative for the 51st State Senate district. As a farmer, he understands the value of hard work, and exactly what farmers need to make a good living. He knows what it means to build a successful business, too. He has innovative ideas about building a sustainable local economy. Most all, he understands the economic struggles of upstate families because he's lived through those same struggles every day. Don Barber is one of us. I'm proud to endorse his candidacy."  

Sen. Valesky, who was voted "Freshman of the Year" by the New York State Senate, applauded Barber's plans to build a new, alternative energy-driven economy. "Don Barber has a unique blend of talents. He's a farmer, an engineer and a successful businessman. He has fresh ideas about building a sustainable local economy and supporting small business. Our rural areas have weathered years of economic decline, but Barber has a plan to spur the new alternative energy-based economy in our region. I would be proud to serve with him in the New York State Senate."

Barber is a top contender and he just received three big endorsements. Like Aubertine in the 48th, Barber fits the mold of what the 51st is all about.

ON THE WEB:

Contribute to Don Barber for State Senate

SD-51: Barber Endorsed By All Seven Counties In District

by: robert.harding

Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 12:36:53 PM EDT

From e-mailed press release:

Capping his run for the Democratic Party endorsement for the state Senate nomination, Don Barber (D-NY51) recently secured the Greene County Democratic Party's backing. Now all seven Democratic Party county committees in the 51st State Senate district, including Otsego, Schoharie, Herkimer, Chenango, Cortland, Tompkins and Greene, are lined up behind Barber's candidacy.

Barber, who is challenging 22-year Republican incumbent Senator James L. Seward, said of the endorsement, "I am so honored to add the support of every single county committee and the growing number of people who want me to take this Senate seat. People want change, fresh leadership, and hope for the future."

The party's base will play a crucial role in the campaign, according to Barber Campaign Manager, Tarah Rowse. "The Democratic base is a cornerstone of the campaign. The base is inspired and our volunteer ranks are swelling."

Barber vows to represent the interests of working families, not distant corporations.  "We need a senator we can trust to represent our interests, not those of Joe Bruno or the insurance companies," said Barber. "I will fight for our environment, health care, education, and developing a new economy for rural New York."

A six-term Town of Caroline Supervisor, Barber, has also drawn grassroots support from farmers, environmentalists, small business owners, teachers and health care reformers across the district's seven counties. This support has translated into an outpouring of donations. According to Barber's financial disclosure filing, his campaign's fundraising is ranked near the top among Senate candidates. Drawing on an active base, Barber has received contributions in modest donations from individuals.

Rowse is struck by the excitement Barber's candidacy has created in all seven counties. "The response has been so heartening," she said. "People are hungry for change."

Barber's website features a blog as well. Barber is an excellent candidate to challenge Sen. Seward in the 51st. Like Sen. Darrel Aubertine, Barber grew up on a dairy farm and now owns a construction company, Sunny Brook Builders.

On the web: Don Barber's ActBlue Page

State Senate Campaigns

by: robinia

Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 18:54:43 PM EST