I have spent the past 10 years immersed in NY Politics. I spend about as much time fighting corrupt Democrats as I do fighting Republicans. The worst of the worst part of NY State politics settles to the sewer bottom of the state senate in Albany. While the Assembly passes progressive measure after progressive measure, the state senate is like a hairball stopping up the drain, backing up the whole system.
This HAS to change.
NY State continues to have one of the most dysfunctional legislatures in America. We need more and better Democrats in office in our State Senate. The candidates below are a mix of candidates who are either our best progressives in Albany, are running against vulnerable Republicans, or are running in primaries against IDC Democrats who caucus with the Republicans.
This requires a two pronged approach: targeting vulnerable Republicans on the one hand, and targeting key IDC members who are most responsible for the betrayal to the Republicans.
Most critical to this effort is electing John Liu, Oliver Koppell and Jamie Kemmerer. John and Oliver are running against IDC senators who blocked the Democrats from capturing the state Senate. Jamie is running against the extremely corrupt Republican Marty Golden.
You can play a big role in turning the NY State Senate more progressive by donating to these important candidates through my Reform Albany 2014 Act Blue site.
John Liu for State Senate
NY-SD-11
John is a good friend of my family and one of the most progressive candidates I know. He also was by far the best, most effective NYC Comptroller we have had. Pro-union, environmentally aware and active, and approaching office with a background in mathematical physics as well as in finance. I
John is running against Tony Avella, a new member of the IDC Democrats who caucus with the Republicans, blocking progress in Albany. John Liu has already been endorsed by Daily Kos, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500, the New York City Coalition of Operating Engineers and the Hotel Trades Council.
Support John Liu and Reform Albany in 2014.
James Kemmerer
NY-SD-22
Jamie Kemmerer is running against Republican Marty Golden. This is one of our top chances to flip a State Senate seat from Repub to Dem and Kemmerer is already building a strong campaign. I have met Jamie Kemmerer and found him intelligent, articulate, and very much ready to take on the corrupt Marty Golden. Marty Golden has been a pimple on the butt of NY State for years. Sadly, until recently a corrupt Democratic Party machine in Brooklyn actively opposed a challenge to Marty Golden, meaning progressive challenges had little institutional support. This year there has been a change in the Brooklyn Democratic Party, a new leader, and an alliance between reformers and the institutional party. So THIS year, Democrats are uniting behind Jamie and are eager to take out the tarnished Golden. If we don't push hard this year we may miss a prime opportunity to pick up a state senate seat from the Greedy Oil Party.
Find out more on Jamie's website: http://jameskemmerer.com/
Support Jamie Kemmerer and Reform Albany in 2014.
Velmanette Montgomery
NY-SD-25
This race is not about changing a senate seat. This is about strengthening the hand of one of the few state senators who we can actually be proud of. Velmanette is my favorite State Senator by far. A staunch and old-school progressive who focuses on real fundamental issues. She has been one of the few outspoken advocates for fact-based sex ed in public schools. Yes, that is right, we have no sex-ed standards in NY public schools and Velmanette is one of the few people actually talking about it. She has also been one of the strongest supporters of marriage equality every step of the way. She has been an advocate for low income housing and increases in minimum wage.
Support Velmanette Montgomery and Reform Albany in 2014.
Oliver Koppell
NY-SD-34
Oliver Koppell is challenging Jeff Klein, one of the founders of the IDC Democrats who caucus with the Republicans, blocking progress in Albany. If we can elect Oliver Koppell and John Liu, we can break the IDC-Republican alliance. Oliver is the only candidate on this list who I don't personally know, so this is the one race I am going on other people's recommendation. But I do know Jeff Klein has got to go.
Find out more at Koppell's website: http://www.oliverkoppell.com/
Support Oliver Koppell and Reform Albany in 2014.
Let's make NY State the leader of the progressive movement in America...a position it should already hold but hasn't because of Republican and IDC obstruction. We have made some major reforms in Brooklyn and that can help us reform the state as a whole.