A Challenger for Valesky?

A challenger for State Senator Dave Valesky may have surfaced. Andrew Russo, a concert pianist from Fayetteville, is considering challenging Sen. Valesky in next year’s election. Russo, a Republican, has already begun raising money while exploring a potential challenge. If Russo makes his campaign official, he would become Sen. Valesky’s first announced challenger for the 2010 State Senate race. There are no announced challengers as of yet for Republican John DeFrancisco, although County Legislator Tom Buckel is considering a run, apparently with a pre-emptive endorsement from the American Postal Workers Union AFL-CIO, Local 257.

Stephanie Miner Updates

In the last two weeks, Stephanie Miner’s campaign for mayor has been moving right along. Like Steve Kimatian, she received two big endorsements and was interviewed by the Post Standard’s Sean Kirst. Stephanie’s big endorsements came from the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors on October 13th and the Syracuse Labor Council on October 16th. Below is her most recent TV spot.



On a side note, this is this blog’s 100th post! It’s been a long time since that first post was made on January 13th, 2009. Here’s to 100 more.

Steve Kimatian Updates

Steve Kimatian was in the news a few times in the last few weeks. He received two big endorsements. The first one, from former Congressman Jim Walsh, came on September 5th. The next one, from County Executive Joanie Mahoney, came just the other day, October 15th. Mr. Kimatian also appeared in two articles, one written by City Eagle’s Walt Sheppard and another from the Post Standard’s Sean Kirst. Below is a TV spot that Kimatian is currently running on local stations.

I'm Back

Hello everyone. I was forced to take an unexpected two week vacation, but I am back now. Expect a recap of some of the events of the last two weeks later today or tomorrow.

Bea & Van Disagree on Miner

Outgoing Common Council President Bea Gonzalez and incoming Common Council President Van Robinson were both high-profile supporters of Democrat Joe Nicoletti’s ultimately unsuccessful bid for Syracuse Mayor. After Joe Nicoletti was defeated in the Democrat Party primary, he turned around and endorsed the winner, party designee Stephanie Miner. Van Robinson followed suit and endorsed Stephanie Miner on Monday of this week. Bea Gonzalez, however, refuses to fall in line behind her party’s nominee. I’d like to recommend Tuesday’s front-page Post-Standard article for an in-depth look at the story. Kudos to Meghan Rubado for her excellent work.