Now that some of the State Senate races are shaking out, I see two key primary races that are critical for reformers to focus on. The NY State Senate has been one of the most dysfunctional in American history. But not all State Senators are bad. My own State Senator, Velmanette Montgomery, has been a leader on many key issues, like introducing effective sex education into our schools (not currently a requirement!!) and leading on the bill (recently signed into law) that requires women prisoners to be unshakled while giving birth.

But there are key State Senators who are central to the dysfunction. Almost all of the Republicans are obstructionists who refuse to support reform in NY State. But also some Democrats are obstructionists who collaborate with the Republicans in the dysfunction. Among these obstructionist Democrats are Pedro Espada, Ruben Diaz, Shirley L. Huntley, Carl Kruger, and William Stachowski. (Getting rid of Hiram "Slasher" Monserrate was a first, very important step). If we can get rid of any or all of these losers, we will be taking a step towards genuine reform in Albany. However, not all of them have viable challengers who are worth supporting.  read more »

One of the races I consider extremely important for reforming Albany is the primary between obstructionist, anti-gay, anti-choice Ruben Diaz and pro-choice, pro-marriage equality, reform candidate Charlie Ramos. Democracy for NYC (DFNYC, the local offshoot of Howard Dean's Democracy for America) has endorsed Charlie Ramos. This comes from DFNYC:

Ruben Diaz Sr. is the anti-choice, anti-gay Senator in the Bronx who joined the Gang of 3, and then the Gang of 4, threatening to caucus with the Republicans sending state government into a tailspin last year. (See this 1 minute video by MENY about Diaz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytofJ35zqQY)...

Unfortunately, Diaz has typically gone unopposed in his South Bronx district. Until now!  read more »