Ritchie Running

After months of speculation, St. Lawrence County Clerk Patty Ritchie is officially in the race for the 48th State Senate District. The incumbent, Darrel Aubertine, a Democrat, is considered a top target by Republicans and may be vulnerable this year. Another Republican, Eric Behling, is also considering entering the race, but Ritchie is heavily favored to win in a primary, should one occur.

Miller Wins GOP Assembly Nod

Republicans have selected a candidate for the 121st State Assembly District. Businessman Don Miller was nominated over fellow Republican Sandra Schepp, a Manlius Town Councilor. Miller has already been endorsed by the local Conservative Party. The incumbent in the race is Democrat Al Stirpe.

Et tu, DeSpirito?

Onondaga County Chairman John DeSpirito can’t seem to make up his mind when it comes to who should be running for Governor on the Republican line this fall. Originally, he supported Erie County Executive Chris Collins, who never actually joined the race. Then, he endorsed current frontrunner for the nomination Rick Lazio. However, he recently appeared with Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy as he announced his own quest for the nomination. Levy just recently switched parties to become a Republican. He was formerly a Democrat and will be unable to vote for himself in the Republican primary. When he announced his party switch and campaign for Governor, he was joined by DeSpirito, along with a few other county chairmen and NY State GOP Chair Ed Cox, who endorsed him at the event. Are Republicans that down on themselves that they’ll support a man for the state’s top spot that was a registered Democrat not even two weeks ago? Rick Lazio, the eternally betrayed candidate, was in Syracuse the other day for a press conference. DeSpirito, from what I can tell, was not present.

Arcuri in Hot Water

I’d like to present this post as a follow-up to my earlier musings about local congressional Democrats and their union-backed special interest supporters. In the aftermath of the vote on health care legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Working Families Party and their labor union allies have gone to work.

In the case of “yes” voters, like Congressmen Dan Maffei and Bill Owens, labor unions have gone out of their way to heap praise. However, in the case of Congressman Mike Arcuri, who demonstrated independence from his party leadership in voting “no,” something very different is afoot. Labor unions are pulling support for Arcuri and the Working Families Party (the ballot line that provided Arcuri with his margin of victory in 2006 and 2008) will not be supporting Arcuri this year either. In fact, there is an effort to recruit former candidate Les Roberts to primary Mr. Arcuri, or at least run an active campaign on the WFP line.

With the loss of support from labor unions and the WFP and a tough rematch with Republican Richard Hanna, plus the possibility of a third party challenge, Congressman Arcuri is feeling the heat for his political independence on this vote.

Some Conservative Party Endorsements

The Onondaga County Conservative Party announced endorsements of two candidates in this year’s elections. Both are incumbents. State Senator John DeFrancisco, a Republican who so far is running unopposed, received the endorsement along with Sheriff Kevin Walsh. Walsh faces a primary from within his own party and within his own ranks in the form of Detective Ed Bragg. Democrats in the race include Joe Price and Toby Shelley.

WFP: Jump; Maffei: How High?

Democrat Congressman Dan Maffei announced this morning that he will be voting “yes” on upcoming legislation regarding health care. Generally I wouldn’t consider this noteworthy, since he voted in the affirmative on a similar bill earlier in his term and he normally votes nearly 97% of the time with his party leadership anyway. However, the timing of his decision is certainly interesting. On Sunday night, the Working Families Party decided not to support candidates who vote against upcoming health care legislation. Up until recently, Maffei claimed that he was undecided on how he would vote. The day after the WFP announced their decision, Maffei scheduled a press conference for this morning where he announced that he would be a “yes” vote.

Congressman Maffei received 9,085 votes on the WFP line in his 2008 victory over Republican Dale Sweetland, which accounts for nearly 25% of his 37,158 vote margin. We already know how closely tied to Big Labor Dan Maffei is and the WFP is just an outlet for New York State’s largest unions to influence elections. It is clear that Maffei’s “yes” vote is simply an effort to appease the union-backed WFP party leadership to remain in their good graces in order to run on their line this fall. Some other local Congressmen are in more trouble than he is.

In 2008 and 2009, having the Working Families Party line on the ballot provided the margin of victory for Eric Massa (who has since resigned) and special election winners Scott Murphy and Bill Owens, Democrats all. In addition, in 2008, Congressman Mike Arcuri would have only won by 465 votes if he did not have the WFP line. Clearly, the WFP has a lot of power in these races, often being the difference between winning and losing. This health care legislation is the Working Families Party’s top priority and are now demanding that the Democrat Congressmen they helped elect return the favor and vote their way on this legislation.

Republican Primary in the 49th

The Republican committees of the four counties that make up the 49th State Senate District could not determine who won the party designation in the race against Democrat State Senator Dave Valesky. The four county parties count their votes differently and the convention night tally was so close that neither candidate could be considered the winner. Oneida County Republicans didn’t even bother voting because of the dispute. Party leaders in Onondaga, Oneida, Madison and Cayuga counties have opened the door to a primary between Republicans Andrew Russo and Dan Liedka, Mayor of East Syracuse. The primary election will be held in September.

Maggie Brooks Isn't Running Either

There is some news to report relating to the now-vacant 29th Congressional District. The news is that nothing has changed. Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks had reached a decision not to run for the open seat left by Congressman Eric Massa’s resignation. That leaves Tom Reed as the lone Republican candidate in the race, as he has been for almost a year. There are still no Democrats in the race after several prospects took a pass. The Governor has indicated that he will be calling a special election for this seat at some point in the future to fill the remaining portion of the current term, which runs through to the end of the year.

Will Barclay is Not Running for Congress

After flirting with a run for Congress, Republican Assemblyman Will Barclay ultimately decided not to take the plunge. The seat in question is in New York’s 23rd congressional district, currently occupied by Democrat Bill Owens. Republican Doug Hoffman, who lost the special election for the seat to Owens last year, is running again. Even with Barclay’s exit, there are still at least two other Republicans besides Hoffman who are considering a run: investment banker Matt Doheny and Franklin County Legislator Paul Maroun.

Price Announces for Sheriff

The race for Onondaga County Sheriff is starting to bubble up. The incumbent, Republican Kevin Walsh is running for re-election and was formally endorsed by his party earlier this month. Fellow Republican Ed Bragg has indicated that he will force a primary with the Sheriff later this year. Now, the race on the Democrat side is taking shape. Joe Price, who ran against Walsh four years ago and lost, is the first Democrat to officially announce that he will be a candidate, although two other Democrats have expressed interest in the race. Though Price is angling for a rematch with the Sheriff, the candidate selection process has yet to play out. The eventual Democrat nominee and the eventual Republican nominee will face off in a general election in November.

Randy Rules Himself Out

The departure of Congressman Eric Massa was expected to create a crowd of interested candidates to replace him, however, it has become anything but. Several well-known Democrats have already passed on the race. Now, former Congressman Randy Kuhl is passing on the race as well. Kuhl held the 29th District seat until he was defeated by Massa in 2008. Republican Monroe County Executive hasn’t made a decision yet, but it is unlikely that she will run. Tom Reed was the only Republican in the race before the seat became vacant, and it appears he will be the only Republican in the race going forward as well.

Miller Endorsed by Conservatives

Most of these local State Assembly races haven’t been getting too much attention. That’s probably due to the fact that there isn’t much going on in any of them. There is some news to report out of the 121st District race, though. Republican candidate Donald Miller was endorsed by the Onondaga County Conservative Party over fellow Republican Sandra Schepp. This strengthens his case for the Republican nomination. A candidate for this seat will be selected at a GOP convention in April. The incumbent is Democrat Al Stirpe, first elected in 2006.

The Field of Candidates in NY-29 Thins Itself

Uncertainty surrounding the race in New York’s 29th congressional district is keeping everyone on their toes. After Congressman Eric Massa, a Democrat, announced that he would be resigning his seat, at least a dozen potential replacements, both Republican and Democrat, have been named. Currently, the only announced candidate in the race for either party is Republican Tom Reed, a former Mayor of Corning, who has been running since last year, but the list of other potential successors is already growing thinner.

Three Democrats have removed themselves from consideration and Republican Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks appears unlikely at this point to make a run for the seat. The three Democrats that will not be running are Monroe County District Attorney Michael Green, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan. Still no word from the Governor on whether the new congressman will be determined during the regularly scheduled November election or during a special election.

He's Baaack!

In a move which comes as no surprise to anyone with a pulse, Republican Doug Hoffman will be making another run for the congressional seat he lost to Democrat Bill Owens in last year’s special election for New York’s 23rd congressional district. That is all. Continue with your day.

Bitz Suspends His Campaign

After losing the GOP nomination for Congress in the 25th congressional district, Mark Bitz says he will be taking a wait-and-see approach as he decides whether or not to force a primary against designated Republican candidate Ann Marie Buerkle. Bitz will wait until June to make a decision. Either Republican would have an uphill financial battle with incumbent Democrat Dan Maffei.

Massa Exits Stage Left

Last week, Congressman Eric Massa announced he would not be a candidate for re-election this year due to health concerns. There are other accusations flying around but I have no intention of bringing them up here. Shortly after the announcement, Massa decided he was going to leave Congress altogether and is planning on resigning on Monday. Massa’s exit creates an open congressional seat. Given this vacancy, Governor Paterson has two ways of reacting. He could either chose for it to remain vacant and allow the currently scheduled election to run its course, or he could call a special election, which would cover the last few months of the unexpired term.

Regardless of the decision the Governor makes, we are likely to see more candidates enter the race. Republican Tom Reed, former Mayor of Corning has been running since last year and was likely to ultimately be the Republican candidate. Massa’s exit shakes things up. Now on the Republican side, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks and former Congressman Randy Kuhl (who lost to Massa in 2008), may join the fray. For the Democrats, Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, who is also the Chairman of the Steuben County Democrats, is Massa’s choice to replace him. Also thinking about joining the race are Assemblyman David Koon, Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and Monroe County District Attorney Michael Green. I’ll try to keep you updated.

Buerkle Wins GOP Nomination Battle

Last Wednesday night, Ann Marie Buerkle rounded up enough votes to become the officially designated candidate for the Republican Party. She became the official candidate of the Conservative Party the night before. This sets her on a collision course with Congressman Dan Maffei in the general election in November. Unless, of course, there is a primary. Fellow Republican Mark Bitz, who was unable to muster enough support from the GOP committees across the four counties of the 25th District, is reportedly mulling a primary bid.

Local Fallout for Rangel Scandals

After many years of scandal, Congressman Dan Maffei’s political mentor, Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel, has abandoned his post as Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Across the country, Democrats who received donations or fundraising assistance from Congressman Rangel are giving the money to charities, including the Congressman from the 24th District, Mike Arcuri. Congressman Eric Massa of the 29th District is facing calls from Republican challenger Tom Reed to rid himself of Rangel’s donated cash. So far, Dan Maffei, of the 25th District, has not indicated what he will be doing with the “dirty money” from his disgraced former boss, and though Arcuri was ahead of the curve calling for Rangel to step down, Maffei continues to be silent on the issue.

Who remembers this gem of a commercial from Republican Dale Sweetland’s failed run against Maffei in 2008?

Harold Ford Returns to Syracuse, Decides Not to Run

Harold Ford, Jr., who was exploring a primary run against fellow Democrat Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, visited Syracuse again this week. He was in town several weeks ago and met with various political and community leaders, including Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. During the visit this week, he met with a group of “business and community leaders” at Unity Mutual’s headquarters in Franklin Square. The meeting was arranged by Patrick Mannion, CEO of Unity Mutual. Patrick is the son of John F. X. Mannion, Chairman of the Board at Unity Mutual, local Democrat Party powerbroker and Stephanie Miner’s husband.

Just a few hours after his visit, Ford announced that he would not be running after all. Go figure.

Bertan Exits Congressional Race, Endorses Buerkle

Ann Marie Buerkle continues to roll out good news for her campaign. The most recent example: Paul Bertan, the first person to announce their candidacy in the 25th congressional district for this year’s election, announced he is dropping out of the race and endorsing Buerkle.

Oneida Republicans Back Hanna

This does not come as a surprise, but the Oneida County Republicans have endorsed Richard Hanna as their candidate to take on Congressman Mike Arcuri, a Democrat in his second term. Hanna is facing primary opposition from fellow Republican Logan Bell, but will likely dispatch of him without much effort. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, County Comptroller Joe Timpano and County Republican Chairman George Joseph also personally endorsed Mr. Hanna.