In the New York State Senate's 58th district, the Stonewall Democrats of Western NY have officially chosen Sean Cooney as their endorsed candidate in the 58th State Senate district. With pork-laden conservadem incumbent Bill Stachowski considered weak and a probable retirement from his safely Democratic district, we're left with the major candidates being a real reformer in the form of Sean Cooney, and Tim Kennedy, a guy who's already proven himself willing in the Erie County legislature to sell his vote for a shiny nickel and some patronage.
In Sean's words, from the Stonewall candidate questionnaire:
I am seeking the 58th State Senate seat because we need to restore trust in State government. The pay-to-play and "three men in the room" systems we currently have lead to corruption, inaction, and government waste. Right now we have an incredible opportunity to reform New York State government.... We must [elect] new legislators who are truly committed to meaningful reform, not just lip service or gimmicks. As the only candidate not employed by our political system, I have the independence to champion these reforms, win the support of the WNY voters, and restore trust in State government.
Tim Kennedy, on the other hand, is the handpicked candidate of conservative billionaire Tom Golisano and his right hand man, Steve Pigeon, a "Democrat" who is the personification of everything that you could imagine being wrong in New York State politics. For those who don't know, the very kindest thing that you can say about Pigeon is that like his namesake he pretty much spends his time flying around New York state and covering everything in shit. Less kind descriptions use phrases like "grossly corrupt," "borderline criminal," and "unholy alliance."
With the way the New York State Senate districts are drawn, this race is going to be absolutely critical to whether or not any serious legislation gets passed next year, including marriage equality, government reform, and a hundred other things. But this doesn't happen without money, and it's been suggested that this will likely be not just one of the most important but also the most expensive state senate race in New York. Tim Kennedy has the amoral force of Tom Golisano and the supremely corrupt Independence Party machine behind him, and Stachowski has been in Albany for decades, long enough to rack up plenty of favors. To be competitive, Sean needs the support of the netroots--and the netroots need Sean, as this single race could determine whether New York has functional, progressive government. This district has been saddled by a conservative Democrat for too long, and now together we can elect somebody with real progressive values.
You can donate to Sean Cooney on ActBlue.