By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer Tuesday, June 19, 2007
ROTTERDAM -- George Amedore Jr., the developer who became a fixture on Capital Region television this spring when he built a home from a local family on ABC's ``Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'' announced today that he will run for state Assembly.
The 38-year-old Republican is the first candidate to formally go public with plans to run for the seat that will soon by vacated by Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam.
"After much prayer and seeking God, I'm pleased to announce that I am 100 percent the candidate for the 105th Assembly District," Amedore said at rally attended by more than 50 supporters, including Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, the Republican from the neighboring 110th Assembly District.
Earlier this year, Amedore achieved a measure of fame as the builder who constructed a home in Colonie for Debbie Oatman on the feel-good ABC reality show.
Amedore is expected to face Democrat Edward Kosiur, a Schenectady County legislator, in an upcoming special election to finish the remainder of Tonko's two-year term. Tonko was last elected in November 2006. The district includes Montgomery County and parts of Schenectady County.
Tonko, a Democrat who spent more than two decades in the state Assembly, was elected Monday to lead the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It will be up to Gov. Eliot Spitzer to decide when a special election will be held.
The election is expected to take place this summer and will be a wind sprint for local Republicans and Democrats.
Democrats have a slight enrollment edge in the district and Tonko easily won elections for two decades. But Tedisco is expected to flood the district with money and campaign workers in hopes of capturing a seat. Democrats are also expected to make a major effort to keep the seat.
The election could be viewed as a referendum on both Tedisco and county Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage who had been pushing Kosiur's candidacy for months.
At his announcement, Amedore spoke extensively about his business background and his plans to incorporate those skills into his duties as an Assemblyman.
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PoliticalIncorrect
June 19, 2007, 5:42pm
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He might be a nice guy. But what experience does he have other than a builder?
I'd be very concerned about how he would vote if it was between his builder friends or the welfare of the residents. Remember what happened when we had Mr G on the town board and how he abstained so as not to upset the builders who shopped at his shop.
I have a lot of concerns including 'shadow's'. But what concerns me the most is Mr.Buchanan's motives for picking these candidates. We alreay know that Mr. Buchanan uses the phrase, 'S/He is a vote getter'....now what the heck does that mean? Is that the way a 'chair' of a political party endorses and promotes their candidates? Shouldn't Mr. Buchanan be saying and we should be hearing how we should vote for candidate 'A' because s/he will stand up for the people and move this city/town forward with smart development? Well, along those lines anyways. STATE THE PLATFORM! God, I was saying this two years ago about the dems. Now at least the dems have a general concesus within the party and a tight platform (which I disagree with)but none the less, they have pulled together. The reps seem to just be crumbling!
Does anyone think Cuevas has a chance? With Buchanan at the helm, it will take nothing short of a miracle to pull the mayor's race off.
Whether I vote for Mr.Amedore or not, Mr. Buchanan and his party better put ALL they have behind ALL of their endorsed candidates or else we can kiss democracy good-by and kiss socialism hello.
In my opinion....Mr. Buchanan has got to go!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Mr Buchanan says that he/she is a vote getter because that's all he can say due to the Reps lack of a platform and goals for the future of our county, town, and city.
Amedore makes Assembly bid official Republican to battle Kosiur for Tonko seat BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
George Amedore Jr. rolled out his campaign Tuesday for the 105th Assembly District seat, offering Republicans their best chance in years to recapture a seat held by Democrats for more than a quarter-century, party officials said. Amedore will face Democratic candidate Edward Kosiur, a Schenectady County legislator representing District 2 in Schenectady, in a contest for the seat being vacated by Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam. Both state Democratic and Republican campaign committees are expected to pour money into the race, with one official saying spending could easily top $500,000. The stakes are high for both sides. Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, who recruited Amedore, is betting his and the party’s stature on the race: “We will run all out. This is my hometown.” Tedisco planned to meet with the Republican chairmen of all 62 counties Tuesday, telling them to support Amedore’s bid if they want to rebuild the Republican Party in New York. “This is the only special election this year,” he said. State Democrats would love nothing better than to embarrass Tedisco with a defeat, a local party official said. Tonko is expected to resign as assemblyman June 30 to become president and chief executive officer of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The authority’s board voted unanimously Monday to name Tonko to the position. Tonko was elected with the backing of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Spitzer is expected to call a special election for the 105th seat after Tonko resigns from the Assembly, a governor’s spokesman said Monday. Local political party leaders expect the election to occur this summer. Amedore, 38, is a lifelong resident of Rotterdam and executive vice president of Amedore Homes, a company started by his father, George Sr. He gained some local celebrity by donating time and expertise to build a home for a needy family as part of the ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Amedore Homes also paid off the family’s mortgage. “I’m in this to win this,” Amedore Jr. said at a news conference Monday at Rotterdam Town Hall. This is his first bid for public offi ce. Amedore was accompanied by his wife, Joelle, and their three children, as well as by his father and mother. He praised Tonko as a “truly great public servant,” and he said he also has a strong record of public service. He never mentioned Kosiur’s name during his announcement. “I know what helping people is all about,” Amedore said. “The compassion in my heart is to serve the people of the 105th District.” Amedore is involved in many charitable works in the community, according to a biography provided by supporters. He rebuilt the Ronald McDonald Wing at Albany Medical Center, constructed a group home for hospice patients in Schenectady County, and remodeled an orphanage in Texas. He is a board member of Schenectady Christian School, where his children attend, and is a member of the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God Church, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and is a former coach of Rotterdam Little League. Amedore said his three passions in life are: God and family, building homes, and public service. He decided to run for Assembly after “much prayer and seeking God,” he said. Amedore called himself a fiscal conservative and a person who believes in family values, saying: “Without strong family values, you can’t have strong leaders.” He said he opposes gay marriage and supports school vouchers. “I believe in one man, one woman,” he said. “School vouchers have a purpose. Public schools need help, but I would not take money out of the public school system. Private schools give another avenue for good education.” Amedore said he supports current state laws dealing with convicted sex offenders and does not support the Schenectady County Legislature’s law that would force convicted sex offenders to leave their homes — based on proximity to children’s activities — by Oct. 1. The New York Civil Liberties Union claims this law is unconstitutional. Kosiur is its author.
Democrats will wage an “aggressive get-to-know-you campaign. Ed will be out there talking all over the district. He’s won elections before. Amedore has never won an election before.” Republicans view the 105th as winnable because of the near balance in party registrations. While Democrats outnumber Republicans 28,190 to 24,852, there are 21,313 people registered with minor parties or not registered with either major party who can affect the final outcome. The 105th Assembly District includes all of Montgomery County, the towns of Duanesburg, Princetown and Rotterdam and more than half of the city of Schenectady. Montgomery County Republican Chairman James Marks said Tonko generally captured 80 percent of the total vote, something Kosiur is not expected to accomplish. “Kosiur is unknown in Montgomery County. Amedore still has family here and has building projects in the county,” he said. Schenectady County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Buchanan said, “Amedore is a private business man and is a fresh face. Kosiur has a record and has voted for spending and taxes. He will have to defend it. There’s a reason that Schenectady County is the eighth highest taxed county in the nation, and Ed Kosiur is part of the reason.” Former Schenectady County Democrat Chairman Chris Gardner countered by saying: “Kosiur has an outstanding record on the city and county levels. He has a deep and abiding commitment to children and has changed the lives of children in the county through his summer jobs program and through his work at the Boys & Girls Club. He is one of the most decent individuals you would want to meet.” Kosiur is director of the Boys & Girls Club’s Schenectady High School Extension. He started his political career in 2002 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the City Council when Brian Stratton became a county legislator. Kosiur ran in 2003 to complete Stratton’s term, and in 2004 he ran for the county Legislature in District 2. He chairs the Legislature’s Committee on Children and Families. A bid for Assembly was not in his original game plan, Kosiur said in an earlier interview. “I thought some time I would have taken a shot at mayor, if Brian stepped down.” When Tonko’s Assembly seat was rumored to be available, Kosiur said local Democratic party leaders “came to me because of my accomplishments of being able to work with both sides of the aisle.” Kosiur said serving in the Assembly would be a “great opportunity to work on a statewide level, especially with Gov. Spitzer’s leadership. There has never been a Democrat from Schenectady ever elected to the 105th.” Tedisco, who attended Amedore’s news conference along with Republican leaders from Schenectady and Montgomery counties, is hoping to increase the current 42-member Republican caucus in the Assembly by one. Democrats control the remaining 150 seats. “There is no question in my mind he is the best candidate for our conference and for our party,” Tedisco said. Phil Oliva, a Tedisco spokesman also volunteering for Amedore’s campaign, said “a race like this doesn’t come around too often; it is a competitive seat.” Oliva said Amedore will be outspent by Democrats, “but we will do everything we can to stay close. We cannot let the Democratic message get out there without a response.”
Amedore running for state Assembly Republican newcomer will run in special election for seat previously held by Tonko
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
SCHENECTADY -- His family's name is synonymous with development in the region, and now George Amedore Jr. wants to build a name for himself in politics. Amedore, who recently gained more prominence through his work with the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" show, laid the foundation Tuesday by formally announcing his candidacy as a Republican for the 105th Assembly District seat.
The coveted seat -- which encompasses Montgomery and parts of Schenectady County -- became vacant when Assemblyman Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, who spent more than two decades in the Assembly, was tapped Monday to lead the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Amedore is expected to challenge Democrat Edward Kosiur, a Schenectady County legislator, in an upcoming special election to complete the remainder of Tonko's two-year term. Tonko was
last elected in November 2006.
It will be up to Gov. Eliot Spitzer to decide when a special election will be held. The election is expected to take place this summer.
Against the backdrop of family and friends, Amedore, 38, said he plans to bring business principles, including understanding the needs of customers and producing a quality product, to the halls of the Assembly.
He offered a preview of his platform, saying he would work to reform property taxes and push programs to create jobs to stem the tide of young people leaving New York for other states.
He also recounted conferring with his family after being recruited a month or so ago by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, the man who introduced him to rousing applause. "I'm new to politics but I am not new to public service," said Amedore.
But Kosiur believes being a newcomer to the Assembly can be a liability.
"I bring experience and political contacts on the local, county, and state level that is essential to move legislation forward," he said, noting he intends to "to continue to build off his (Tonko's) successes."
Tedisco said that it's been at least a quarter century since a Republican held the state Assembly seat in the 105th District
He probably was doing it out of the goodness of his heart. He seems to have done a bit of charitable work before the Extreme thing. What I do think happened, was that the republicans (Mr. Bucahanan) was sitting down, in the comfort of his home watching the Extreme Makeover. And then 'ALAS'...I'll bet you Amedore would be a good 'vote getter'. And hence George Amedore Jr. was born into politics. It appears that is the way Mr. Buchanan is endorsing his candidates as of late. As long as you are a good 'vote getter'....yer in!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I'd like to actually sit down and interview Mr. Amedore and see what he'd have to offer us. Not one of these go on Capital News 9 things or one of the other local media. As another politician just stated lately (sorry, everybody), "Let's chat, let's have a conversation." I hope that he wouldn't be upset by the difficult questions and hope that he would see things how the residents actually do. I wonder where he even lives.
Carl Strock THE VIEW FROM HERE Assembly race shapes up for mid-summer
If you are not in a lather about who will succeed Paul Tonko in the state Assembly, don’t feel guilty about it. A lot of people are not in a lather, including me, though I will be keeping an eye on the proceedings as part of my professional responsibilities. Tonko, of Amsterdam, has served in the Assembly since 1983, rising to chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee, and now as reward for his service he has been appointed president of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, a body that I have no doubt does noble and important work — just don’t ask me what it is. In his new position he will be paid $148,888 a year, which will be quite an advance over the $88,500 that he makes as an assemblyman. His rise means of course that an Assembly seat will be up for grabs, a situation that always roils the rivulets and backwaters of local politics, since it so rarely happens that a cushy position like that opens up, it being understood that when somebody becomes a state senator or assemblyman or a congressman, that job is good for life. The holder of the office is able both to raise money for future elections and to curry favor by funneling our own tax money back to us in the form of pork-barrel grants, and pretty soon he becomes unbeatable, except in unusual circumstances which you can ask John Sweeney about. For all practical purposes, it’s a lifetime gig, unlike most local offices. So once every 20 or 30 years when someone vacates one of these positions, there is quite a scramble to fill it. This time the contenders will be Ed Kosiur, Democrat, and George Amedore Jr., Republican. Kosiur works at the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady and is a member of the Schenectady County Legislature. Amedore, of Rotterdam, is a homebuilder who will be making his first run for public office. The district, the 105th, includes all of Montgomery County and about half of Schenectady County, including about half of the city of Schenectady, which is an odd little arrangement that was contrived by the Democrats back in 1992 to punish Assemblyman Jim Tedisco for his uncooperativeness by taking half his city away from him, though that’s ancient history which we need not go into. Tedisco, who has since risen to minority leader, says he “most definitely” will campaign on behalf of his fellow Republican, Amedore, in an effort to “take a small step forward” in asserting Republican strength in the Assembly, the hard political fact being that the Democrats have overwhelming control of that chamber. It won’t be easy. Democrats outnumber Republicans 30,654 to 25,891 in the district, so Amedore will have to draw heavily from the 17,719 voters who are not registered in any party, or from the various minor parties, in order to make a show of it. Another factor is that the election will most likely be held in the middle of summer, when many people are away on vacation and when turnout can be expected to be small, both for that reason and because it will be an isolated event. That’s really up to Gov. Spitzer, who can call a special election 30 to 45 days from when Tonko officially resigns on July 1 or can let it go until the general election in November. November would make more sense to me, but the politicians anticipate August, when Democrats might do better in getting their people to the polls. It would certainly be a feather in Tedisco’s cap if he could bring another Republican from his hometown into the Legislature with him, though how much difference it would make to the rest of us is far from clear.
Posted on: 06/20/07 Written by: Jessica Harding, Schenectady County Reporter email: hardingj@spotlightnews.com
George Amedore Jr., vice-president of Amedore Homes, promised to give New York an extreme makeover as he announced his candidacy for state Assembly at a press conference Tuesday, June 19.
Amedore recently became a household name in the Capital District following his participation in ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
With dozens of supporters gathered at Rotterdam’s Town Hall, including top local Republicans, Amedore was endorsed as the Republican candidate for the 105th Assembly District seat that will be vacated by Democrat Paul Tonko, who has been named president of NYSERDA.
Amedore touted himself as a friend to working families and promised to lower taxes, cut spending and create jobs in New York.
State Assembly minority leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, who grew up in Rotterdam, said Amedore is a local candidate who shares his same values. He said Amedore was the best person to run for the seat, which has been held by a Democrat for 25 years.
Tedisco said Amedore has always contributed to the community in one way or another, and could do even more good as a state assemblyman.
“He is a terrific candidate, a terrific guy and would make an even better state assemblyman,” Tedisco said.
Amedore has never held an elected position before, but said he is not new to public service.
“I understand what community service is all about and what helping people is all about,” he said.
Amedore said his three passions in life are God and family, building safe, efficient and affordable homes; and serving his community.
Amedore, through his family-owned business Amedore Homes, has participated in many community service projects, including the redesign and construction of the Ronald McDonald Wing at Albany Medical Center, construction of a Schenectady group home for Hospice patients and the remodel of a Texas orphanage.
Amedore is active in nonprofit organizations, including the Rotterdam Little League.
He said what he would bring to the state Assembly is a business perspective.
“As a businessman, I understand the needs and burdens we face. I understand the needs of customers and how to produce a product that they are proud of,” Amedore said. “These principles are not being applied in state government today.”
Amedore said as a home builder, his job is to provide people with the American dream of owning their own home, but, he said, too often the dream turns into a nightmare with high property taxes. He said his goal is to turn that nightmare into a happy reality by lowering taxes.
He also said he would never vote for a budget that increases spending more than the rate of inflation, and promised to work toward creating jobs within the state to keep more young people in New York.
“I have a public servant’s heart,” he said. “I am that leader to take on the challenge in Albany.”
County Legislator Ed Kosiur, D-Schenectady, said he plans to formally announce his candidacy for the Assembly seat next week. He pointed to the “extreme makeover” of downtown Schenectady as a testament of what he could do as a state assemblyman.
“In just three and a half years, we have transformed downtown from a bunch of rundown buildings to a viable area with Villa Italia, the Hampton Inn, Proctor’s and Movieland Cinema,” he said.
Kosiur said he plans to focus on cutting taxes for middle income families, seniors and veterans, increasing intergovernmental cooperation and advocating for youth.
County Legislator Joe Suhrada, R-Schenectady, said he agreed with Amedore’s views on lowering taxes and reducing spending. Suhrada said Kosiur has voted for every increase in taxes and spending that has come across the county legislature.
“George Amedore is the best candidate,” Suhrada said. “He will do a good job serving the working families that make up the majority of this area.”
He said what he would bring to the state Assembly is a business perspective.
“As a businessman, I understand the needs and burdens we face. I understand the needs of customers and how to produce a product that they are proud of,” Amedore said. “These principles are not being applied in state government today.”
Amedore said as a home builder, his job is to provide people with the American dream of owning their own home, but, he said, too often the dream turns into a nightmare with high property taxes. He said his goal is to turn that nightmare into a happy reality by lowering taxes.
I cant afford an Amedore home,,,and then actually eat and go spend money in the nice new Downtown Schenectady.....certainly the government wont be there to feed us.....lets not be those folks in New Orleans just sitting back and waiting for some kind of government savior.......
Quoted Text
County Legislator Ed Kosiur, D-Schenectady, said he plans to formally announce his candidacy for the Assembly seat next week. He pointed to the “extreme makeover” of downtown Schenectady as a testament of what he could do as a state assemblyman.
“In just three and a half years, we have transformed downtown from a bunch of rundown buildings to a viable area with Villa Italia, the Hampton Inn, Proctor’s and Movieland Cinema,” he said.
Kosiur said he plans to focus on cutting taxes for middle income families, seniors and veterans, increasing intergovernmental cooperation and advocating for youth.
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
County Legislator Ed Kosiur, D-Schenectady, said he plans to formally announce his candidacy for the Assembly seat next week. He pointed to the “extreme makeover” of downtown Schenectady as a testament of what he could do as a state assemblyman.
“In just three and a half years, we have transformed downtown from a bunch of rundown buildings to a viable area with Villa Italia, the Hampton Inn, Proctor’s and Movieland Cinema,” he said.
Kosiur said he plans to focus on cutting taxes for middle income families, seniors and veterans, increasing intergovernmental cooperation and advocating for youth.
And all it took to fix a small strip of downtown is to raise taxes on everybody in the county. That's taxing 210 square miles of city, towns and villages to fix a 4/10 of a mile strectch downtown. Thanks, Mr. Ed.
In just three and a half years, we have transformed downtown from a bunch of rundown buildings to a viable area with Villa Italia, the Hampton Inn, Proctor’s and Movieland Cinema,” he said.
How 'bout thanking the taxpayers for not only giving part of our money to private companies of your choice, but also for giving Villa Italia a no interest loan, paid for by the taxpayers, to move out of Rotterdam. Gee...they must all be registered dem's, huh?
As they build up this 4/10 of a mile stretch (as BK stated), the city around them is crumbling under overtaxing and decay and crime! Yup...like he'd get my vote....I DON'T THINK SO! So it looks like the 'makeover guy' gets my vote by default!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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