It would appear Sen. Bill Stachowski's win tonight was the difference in keeping the New York State Senate. Stachowski has a 6,500 vote lead with all but 24 precincts reporting. The race is his.
Unfortunately, Democrats didn't win elsewhere. Joe Mesi fell short tonight against Mike Ranzenhofer in SD-61. Rick Dollinger lost his bid in SD-56 to knock off Joe Robach, losing by four percentage points (52-48) to the man who replaced him in 2002. Dave Nachbar lost 61-39 to Jim Alesi in SD-55 in a tough race. And Paloma Capanna, the grassroots extraordinaire, lost to Sen. Michael Nozzolio.
We also saw Kathy Konst lose to Sen. Dale Volker, although her loss should inject some hope into that seat. Volker did not win the primary in dominating fashion and this win was only by 12 points. Konst showed us something in this race for the 59th District seat.
We proved a lot here in Western New York this year and we have a lot more to prove in 2010. We showed tonight that contrary to popular belief, we do have some pretty good candidates up here. We showed that we can, even with enrollment disadvantages, compete with the Republicans and win one here or there.
In 2010, I will make a couple of predictions:
(1) Joe Robach isn't safe. It's difficult to see Rick Dollinger not win because Dollinger would have been a true reformer in the Senate. But once the money stream is cut from Robach's hands, he will be powerless. Hopefully the Democratic Senate can prove that it takes more than just member items to run this state.
(2) Start lining up for Dale Volker. I know the people in SD-59 want that seat and I will make something clear: I want that seat too. We are going to make it happen.
We may not have been successful tonight, but we showed we are competitors. We aren't pushovers and this is no longer Republican country. We will remain competitive and fight for every seat and hopefully, pick up a few along the way.
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.
One of NYS's most sensible newspapers makes the right choice, following the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle earlier:
Post-Standard says to "pull the lever for Capanna!"
(Webster, NY) - The Post-Standard today announced its endorsement of Paloma Capanna for the New York State Senate in the 54th District, saying "...voters eager to send a message for reform should pull the lever for Capanna."
In their endorsement, the Editorial Board wrote, "Capanna talks about big ideas like an industrial "green zone" through the district, universal health coverage and making the state's income tax system more progressive. She is outspoken about reform, deriding the member-item system and pushing campaign finance reform and an independent commission to redraw the lines of gerrymandered legislative districts. She even threw out the novelty idea of banning politicians from having anything named after them if it was funded by money they secured."
This is the second major news organization to endorse Capanna in as many days. On October 18, 2008, she received the "enthusiastic" endorsement of the Democrat & Chronicle newspaper.
Capanna expressed her appreciation to the Post-Standard for the endorsement and for their coverage of her campaign. "From all of us fighting for reform, we extend our appreciation to the Post-Standard for this honor. In a race against a long-term incumbent who is outraising and outspending us, it is a reaffirmation that the democratic process is what it should be: about ideas and solutions for our future."
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.
This morning, the Capanna campaign announces that they have won the support and endorsement of Senator Hillary Clinton:
"It is an honor to receive the endorsement from Senator Hillary Clinton in this historic year for women in politics," said Capanna. "I look forward to working with Senator Clinton in areas that we share a passion, such as health insurance and public education."
Capanna credits Clinton with paving the way for women of her generation to enter politics. Capanna, 42, like Clinton, attended a women's college and then went on to earn her law degree. Capanna attended Wheaton College (Norton, MA), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1988, after which she earned her Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo in 1991.
"Senator Clinton put 18 million cracks in a glass ceiling that she had continually pushed higher and higher before hitting," said Capanna. "She has, coming up behind her, increasing numbers of women candidates at all level of government, and, together, we will break that ceiling."
Capanna is the first Democratic woman to run for the NYS Senate in the 54th District, which includes Seneca Falls, the birthplace of women's rights, as well as the National Women's Hall of Fame.
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:
Capanna Wins Endorsement of Golisano's Responsible New York!
(Webster, NY) - Paloma Capanna, candidate for the NYS Senate (D, WFP, Webster) today released the news that she has been endorsed by Responsible New York, founded by Mr. Thomas B. Golisano to support candidates who "put the People first."
"It is a privilege to receive an endorsement from such an important local leader, a leader both in business and in philanthropy," said Capanna. "The concerns of Responsible New York have been and will continue to be the priorities of our campaign, including responsible state budgeting, real estate tax reform with an end to unfunded mandates, and campaign finance reform."
Golisano endorsed 39 candidates on August 23, 2008, of which only 8 are challengers, from both Parties.
Capanna's opponent has been in office for 28-years, but has been unopposed since 1992.
I really like Paloma Capanna, even more so now that I have heard her speak a couple of times and met her. And, I view Nozzolio as an unmitigated evil and a threat to NYS's future. But, I have to admit, even though I am sure that the endorsement will help the cause, I just don't like Golisano throwing his weight around... and appropriating the idea of standing for responsibility.
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.
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.
