The ever wiley, Maggie Brooks & Company
Not a blog I normally link to, but Mustard Street’s Philbrook has a very insightful take on the 9th Legislative district and Tony LaFountain’s abrupt departure from the legislature:
Had LaFountain waited another month — until after about September 20 — his successor, Penfield Councilwoman Debbie Drawe, would not have had to run for the seat until November of 2010, giving her more than a year of incumbency to run on. As it is, Drawe must run in this year’s election.
This defies conventional wisdom, but makes tremendous sense. Drawe will now run in an election for which Democrats must scramble to find a credible candidate, if they can. It’s proven hard for them in this district in the past.
[snip]
By contrast, if Drawe ran in 2010, hers would be the sole race for County Legislature. Joe Morelle’s team could focus all of its efforts for local-level elections on that race alone. Especially if Democrats failed to seize the ring of the legislature’s majority this year, the 9th district race in 2010 would have been the Armageddon of county leg. races, commanding attention, support and resources from the Democratic party, its interest groups and fellow-travellers (sic) on a statewide level, as the key to the Demos taking Monroe.
I’m sure he’s right. Thanks for the analysis, Philbrook. Now I can go to bed.
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