NY 23 Special: Aubertine Out
Just after a deadline set by NY-23 Dems had passed for candidates to announce their interest in the seat, state Sen. Darrel Aubertine (D) announced he would not run. In many ways, he was considered the favorite for the nod. Many county chairs hinted earlier this week that they'd support him if he ran.
Because of his conservative stands on abortion and gay marriage, he was considered one of the top candidates for Dems to put up in a seat that has a GOP advantage in registration. But don't be fooled by registration numbers; Pres. Obama took it by a narrow margin in '08, making this a key swing seat.
Because of his attractive profile, the NRCC began airing TV ads in the CD today -- before he decided to not make the race -- blasting Aubertine for voting for higher spending in the legislature. But Aubertine spokesperson Drew Mangione said the attacks didn't influence Aubertine's decision not to run. Mangione, in an interview with Politico: "The Republican ads are nothing more than proof they're more interested in vilifying him than serving the people."
So now NY-23 Dems will look to another candidate to attempt to pick up this very winnable seat. Several candidates have already submitted their resumes to Dems, but ex-US Atty/ex-Sen. Moynihan aide Daniel French (D) and atty Brian McGrath (D) -- who has already polled the race -- are two names that stick out.
GOPers selected Assemb. DeDe Scozzafava (R) as their nominee 7/22.
(TIM SAHD)
Here a lawyer, there a lawyer, everywhere a lawyer, lawyer ... seems that's all the media are focused on now that the media fav (Sen. Aubertine: the "presumptive, hands down fav, the inside track, his for the asking, etc. etc.," candidate is not going to run. There are others probably just as much, if not more qualified and eager to run. I hope all will get a fair and constructive hearing, and yes, I'm one of these seeking the nod. We shall see.
Brian McGrath, one of the candidates lives in Manhattan, not our district. We need someone whose interests are in our area of the state, not a manhattan lawyer wanting to start his political career by using us as his training ground.
Money! Money! Money! Looks like McGrath, a good Irishman, is the only guy in the race it with the money. It's the mothersmilk of political campaigns and if you don't get it, you don't get it.
McGrath grew up in Lowville, worked at a scout camp in the Adirondacks and went to school in upstate. He cares deeply about the north country and through his family's business is intimately familiar with the difficulties dairy farmers face. He's not a carpetbagger and has taken serious steps to run an excellent campaign.