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Retiring Sue Kelly Pt. 2; Challengers' Petitions & Endorsers
Update on Petitions and Endorsements in the 19th CD race to replace Sue Kelly.
1) Judy Aydelott has been endorsed by the National Women’s Political Caucus and by Emily’s List.
Her campaign stated that it filed petitions containing 3,554 signatures and that the Hall campaign had filed a “general†challenge to her petitions.
2) John Hall was endorsed by the County Democratic Committees of Orange, Duchess and Rockland counties; The American Federation of Musicians and its Local 802 (orchestra, theatre, club and studio musicians); Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (skilled electricians); United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (supermarket and grocery store employees); and the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 1. (stage hands etc.) in addition to SEIU 1199
His campaign said it filed more than 4200 signatures on designating petitions.
3) Darren Rigger’s campaign stated that it filed 1,871 signatures and that it expected a “general" challenge to its petitions as well.
4) Ben Schuldiner’s campaign stated it had been endorsed by Vassar College Democrats (a 500-member group) and that the campaign had filed petitions containing more than 2,800 signatures.
5) Jim Martorano’s campaign did not respond to my enquiry, but, based on figures supplied by the NYS Board of Elections, may have filed fewer than 1,000 signatures – somewhat fewer than required to get on the ballot. In view of its low fundraising and the small number of signatures on its petitions, I think its an open question as to whether Mr. Martorano's campaign can continue.
Re. Vassar College Dems Endorsement
Just a little note regarding the Vassar College Dems.
a) That 500-member figure is people that have signed up for and recieve emails from group only 10-15% actually participate on any level (with more durring presidential election years).
b) The majority are probably out of state and an even bigger majority out of district.
c) The endorsements weren't decided by a poll of the members but with a poll of those at attendence at a meeting held at the end of the year, right before exams in which at most 30 people (and probably closer to the 15-20 range) were in attendance.
Good points, Ryan W,
but ones I was reclucant to drive home to Ben S' press person. Vassar may be, after all, his big endorsement
Could have been valuable...
The Vassar Dems could have been an important endorsement for any candidate, unfortunately Ben needs the volunteer numbers those students could have provided over the summer, but Vassar is out until the end of August. This won't be enough time even for the generally very capable organizing of a group like Vassar Dems.
Just to get something else on record, the Vassar Dems have also stated their public support for John Hall's candidacy and policies. I'm sure he will be able to put their volunteers to work before the general!
Aydelott not endorsed by Emily's List
Actually, Judy Aydelott has not been endorsed by Emily's List. You can find the full list of canidates Emily's List has endorsed on their website: http://www.emilyslist.org/
Emily's List had a small write-up on their site about Aydelott, but it dates back to November 22, a week before John Hall entered the race and much before some of the other candidates.
John Hall has recently been endorsed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY 22). It looks like his campaign is picking up a lot of momentum and support right now, especially because Kennedy was originally a supporter of Judy Aydelott.
Aydelott's campaign admitted the error
to me a few days ago and I'd been holding the correction for a 19th CD round up. I agree that the momentum seems all to be for Hall, at present.
Kennedy had been featured as a leading sponsor of the Aydelott fundraiser in NYC that had been hosted by George Soros. However, I did not not seen any actual RFK jr. endorsement of her or donation to her campaign.
Aydelott did get money from two very well known political figures: Former Westchester County Exec. Alfred Del Bello and former US Rep. and present Pace Law Prof. Richard Ottinger in addition to Soros and General Motors heir/philanthropist Stuart Mott. All of this is very old news though, so far as I can tell.
While the Kennedy and Hinchey endorsements focus attention on Hall they bring neither money nor troops. The only endorsement that might bring union members out to campaign has been the 1199 for Hall. Other major players with significant memebership in the CD include the teacher (NYSUT) and public employees unions about which I have heard nothing.