No Primary in SD-56
Brighton Town Supervisor Sandy Frankel made that clear, in an emotionally charged speech, last night at the Democratic convention she is not running a primary against Rick Dollinger. Have a listen.
Pay attention about 2:25 into the clip. Sandy calls this is critical year with local and well positioned candidates able to take advantage of it. Sandy calls the Democrats the party of the people, the party of the future. She has that right.
I would’ve liked to see Sandy as the candidate in that race, but I wish Rick luck. Frankly, I think this one is still an uphill battle for anyone against Robach. I’m hoping taking back the Senate doesn’t come down to the 56th. What are the other races across the state where things might flip?
The big one is Maltese in Queens. I think there may be others on Long Island, and I’ve heard a bit about a push for a Syracuse area seat.
Great footage.
I think there is a better chance of taking this seat than you realize.
I’ve heard a lot of discontent with Joe even among those who have been his staunch supporters. They say he does not seem like the same guy he was a few years ago. He is no longer the independent he claims to be. So if there is a big democratic vote in November as there may well be, and some strong coattails, this seat could swing.
I can remember hearing early on (last year) how the focus on taking back the Senate would be downstate, Long Island Senate races. That focus has changed slightly, because of strong possibilities upstate.
Downstate, SD-3 is on the map. The Senate Democrats have their eyes on this seat. Senator Trunzo is an old guy (82 years old) and the Democrats have a candidate in Jimmy Dahroug. Dahroug has run twice previously though and Democrats want someone else. Dahroug isn’t a bad choice, but the party doesn’t want to risk losing a third time with him. There are other names being tossed around as possibilities, but nothing definite.
We have a great chance in SD-56 for a few reasons. There are a lot of similarities with SD-56 and the district that Dollinger represented from 1992-2002. The only main difference is that Parma is now a part of this district. This district has a tremendous enrollment advantage for the Democrats (77,295 DEM to 44,902 REP w/ 38,170 Blanks) so this is worth targeting, especially with Dollinger as the candidate.
SD-61 should be on the radar too. There is a small Republican enrollment advantage there, but the GOP candidate is their fourth or fifth choice. All their better choices (and their best one in Assemblyman Jim Hayes) chose to sit it out. The Democrats can win SD-61 after years of GOP rule.
Of course, we will make sure that we win SD-48 again with the rumors circulating that Jim Wright might run for his old seat. Jim Seward’s seat (SD-51) will be a target, but to what extent remains uncertain. Don Barber is a terrific candidate and is someone the Dems could get behind.
someone please send this footage to Mrs. Clinton.