Tedisco submits plan for special election to fill Senate post
By CASEY SEILER, State editor Last updated: 1:16 p.m., Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco on Tuesday unveiled his proposal to take the replacement of a U.S. Senator out of the governor's hands. Tedisco's legislation would require the governor to call a special election within 10 days after a Senate vacancy is created; the election would follow within the ensuing 90 days.
"The fact that you have the power ... to do something doesn't mean that it's the right thing to do at that time," Tedisco said of Gov. David Paterson's power to name a replacement to Sen. Hillary Clinton's seat.
Backed by a half-dozen of his Republican colleagues, Tedisco pointed to the number of "accidental" state leaders who took office through unexpected vacancies — specifically, Gov. David Paterson and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli — and noted that the possible departure of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (who "might be at the top of the list" for Clinton's Senate seat, Tedisco said) would create another empty post.
The serial nature of these unelected officials means "you're kind of moving toward a totalitarian state," he said.
Tedisco understands that the proposal has a fairly slim chance of moving forward in his own chamber, much less getting past the Democrat-controlled state Senate or the governor who would be diminishing his own power and that of his successors.
A conservative estimate of the cost of a special election starts at $16 million, the bulk of it to be borne by the counties — a big-ticket item in a state facing a multi-billion-dollar deficit. "What's the cost of this democracy?," Tedisco responded, evoking the "blood and sweat" expended by members of the U.S. military to facilitate democracy overseas.
Another possible objection: Waiting 100 days for a new senator would shave off a margin of seniority that could set back the state's representative in the scramble for committee positions and, eventually, chairmanships. "I think I'd like to give up three months of seniority to keep our democracy whole," Tedisco said.
With Democrats controlling every aspect of state government right now, Tedisco's plan would be a larger advantage for Republicans. But "I think you have to ask yourself, who would a special election benefit the most? The 19 million people of the state of New York," Tedisco said.
Even so, "We're not kidding ourselves — this is a state that's 5-2 Democrat," he added.
EDITORIALS Tedisco’s right: don’t appoint a U.S. senator
As an Assembly minority leader with little to lose, James Tedisco has been a great grandstander — willing to propose legislation that has populist appeal but virtually no chance of passing. So it is with his latest gambit, a law requiring vacant Senate seats to be filled via special election. With Democrat Sheldon Silver running the show in the Assembly, just about anything Tedisco proposes is going to be dead in the water — especially if it’s something that would diminish the power of a sitting Democratic governor. And if by some miracle Silver and Malcolm Smith, his Democratic counterpart in the Senate, did decide this bill had merit and it managed to pass both houses, what are the chances David Paterson might actually sign it? Virtually nil. But allow Tedisco some credit — in general, for not simply rolling over for these power brokers, and in particular for this plan. What it comes down to is this: Just because a senator resigns prematurely, why should the governor — and not voters — get to pick his or her successor? Granted, the person chosen to fill Hillary Clinton’s seat has to run in a special election come November 2010 (then again in 2012, when the seat’s term expires), but the power of incumbency is considerable when it comes to name recognition and fund-raising, and 22 months is a decent amount of time to become entrenched. Why else would someone like Caroline Kennedy, who’s never shown much interest in politics, be so interested? Maybe we’d be a little more tolerant of the existing procedure but for the secretive way Paterson has handled it — refusing to disclose the names of many of the “applicants” or even what was on the questionnaire they had to fill out. And then there’s the situation in Illinois, with Gov. Rudy Blagojevich, to remind us just how valuable an appointment like this can be to a...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00902
20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Candidates already lining up for House vacancy BY TATIANA ZARNOWSKI Gazette Reporter
The ink was barely dry on Kirsten Gillibrand’s appointment to the U.S. Senate when people started lining up to take her place in the House of Representatives. The race for the 20th Congressional District seat is likely to be rushed, expensive and crowded, local officials said. Well-known Republicans state Sen. Elizabeth Little, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco and former Assemblyman John Faso have said that they’re interested in pursuing the seat that will be left open when Gillibrand assumes the Senate seat Sunday. Other Republicans considering a run include Mike Rocque, who was a candidate for the Republican nomination last year. Several local Democrats are mulling whether to run, although none has formally announced a bid. Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chairman Larry Bulman, former Saratoga Springs Mayor Valerie Keehn and city Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim all have said that they are considering a run. The governor may call for a special election after Gillibrand vacates her seat, said Bob Brehm, spokesman for the state Board of Elections. When he does so, Gov. David Paterson will pick a date for the special election between 30 and 40 days from his announcement. Political parties may nominate a candidate and independent candidates wishing to be on the ballot may submit petitions with the required number of signatures, he said. “I think it’s going to be a short, expensive campaign,” said Al Turkheimer, chairman of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. Candidates will have to pay for advertisements because they won’t have as much time to go door-todoor, he said. Little and Tedisco have emerged as front-running Republicans with the most support, and electing one of them would create another vacancy to be filled by a local politician with higher aspirations. Despite the well-known Republican candidates, Bulman said Friday that he’s not afraid of losing the 20th District seat to the opposing party. “We’ve been winning seats every election,” he said. Peter Tulin, counsel to the Saratoga County Democratic Committee, said that he would like to see the 20th District winner hail from Saratoga County. “I will work very closely with the county chairman to bring it to Saratoga County,” he said. Little, of Queensbury, has already made her candidacy offi - cial. “She is a candidate,” said her spokesman, Daniel MacEntee. Little is known for her accessibility and hands-on governance in the state Senate, where she is serving her seventh year after spending seven years in the state Assembly. Tedisco is “actively exploring” the seat, said his spokesman, Josh Fitzpatrick. Tedisco, of Schenectady, has spent 26 years in the state Assembly. He is an outspoken lawmaker. “He’s talking about his support for providing a real property tax relief, real jobs and a stronger economy,” Fitzpatrick said. Tedisco already has a Facebook page dedicated to his candidacy, and Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione announced her endorsement of him. Faso plans to formally announce his candidacy soon, said spokesman Josh Hills. The Kinderhook man will run on ....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00103
Saratoga Republicans choose Tedisco January 24, 2009 at 4:50 pm by Leigh Hornbeck, Staff writer
I just heard from a Republican insider that the Saratoga County committee chose Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco today to run in the 20th Congressional District. Saratoga’s vote carries the most weight in the 10-county district. Chairman John “Jasper” Nolan is expected to officially announce the selection later today.
Tedisco, North Country Assemblywoman senator Betty Little from Queensbury, John Faso, Richard Wager and Sandy Treadwell were all discussed but the committee decided Tedisco, who received national press attention when he fought then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer over licenses for illegal immigrants, has the most name recognition and a political machine ready to go into action on a moment’s notice.
Betty Little was seriously considered, especially because her gender was seen as a plus, but the committee members decided as popular as she is in Essex, Warren and Washington counties (where she is said to have the support of the GOP committees) she isn’t well-known south of Saratoga and there ..........http://blogs.timesunion.com/localpolitics/2669/saratoga-republicans-choose-tedisco
20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Tedisco using Internet to gain support for congressional run BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Jim Tedisco didn’t waste any time announcing his decision to run for Congress to his friends in cyberspace. Within hours of Kirsten Gillibrand being announced as the replacement for Sen. Hillary Clinton, Tedisco already had a candidate’s page on Facebook.com. Then over the weekend, the state Assembly minority leader began to tweet. “Attending Saratoga Springs state of the city,” reads one of his entries on the Twitter.com, a site that allows users to post 140-character messages to a social network. “Burning up the phone lines, calling county and town leaders seeking their endorsement,” reads another entry. “Taking a short break for my wife’s homemade chili.” Tedisco is among a growing number of politicians using the World Wide Web’s social networking services to reach constituents. In the frenzied race for the 20th Congressional District, he joins at least one other candidate using online social networks to forward his candidacy. Libertarian Party chairman Eric Sundwall is also using Facebook to reach voters as he mulls a second run for the district. The Albany resident and IT consultant attempted a run for the district’s seat in 2006, but was thrown off the ballot after his petitions were challenged by the Republican Party. “Please consider Eric’s candidacy when you reflect on the fiscal irresponsibility we’ve all lived with these past eight years,” his Facebook page states. “Ask yourself if it’s possible that both major parties may have it all wrong.” Tedisco has increasingly relied upon online media to get his message across. Earlier this month, he released a video on Youtube.com opposing a tax on downloads of online music and movies. The video was also posted on a Facebook page and a seperate Web site. Tedisco said his Facebook and Twitter pages are an attempt to get the word out about his run for Congress, but also to gain input from ................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....604&ViewMode=GIF
No, she has no formal qualifications, I don't think - but she was very active in our community, an owner of a working farm, struggling like you and I to make ends meet every day. Being a news reporter, she actually did "investigative news" and presented it professionally during her on-air career.
I'd actually like to have someone like Egan in there, than a seasoned politician or lawyer, who's not just getting into it for the pension/security/kickbacks etc. The last thing we need is "more of the same" - she MIGHT put people first, rather than her wallet.
I've only met her a couple of times, and know little about her principles, political affiliations, aspirations or policy stands. All I know is that she tried to put a "fair and balanced" report in front of tv viewers for years. Hopefully she'll carry those ethics to the position if elected.
No, I don't work for her campaign, just thought it was an interesting addition to the "same ole same ole".
She's tanned, she's rested, she's from TV-10 {not BS-6 that said on its horrible website that Big Hose would open no later than August 08}, Tracey Egan-Democrat for Congress! Meanwhile, homeboy Jimmy T is running circles around his GOP opponents. Locked up Saratoga County. Whoever gets the GOP nod between Jimmy Tedisco and John Faso will be the new Congressman.
I am not interested in her. Besides, isn't she of lesser qualification than Sarah Palin, yet the democrats endlessly belittled her so-called lack of experience? They must figure Tracy E, although lacking in any experience, is good enough for us hayseeds in upstate NY.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
I am not interested in her. Besides, isn't she of lesser qualification than Sarah Palin, yet the democrats endlessly belittled her so-called lack of experience? They must figure Tracy E, although lacking in any experience, is good enough for us hayseeds in upstate NY.
Until someone of the caliber of Joe Suhrada tosses his hat into the ring, she's as qualified and has as equal a chance as anyone.
Suhrada-v-Egan - I'd vote Suhrada in a NY minute. Egan -v- the rest of the clowns, I'd probably vote Egan when I hear where she stands on issues.
she is the best and how in the world can you mention surhad? he is a taxer and caused the people in the county untold troubles by being an obstructionist and tipping the apple cart down at the county hall when Judy and them wanted to rebuild the downtown and cut the waste and help rotterdam over there. Also Tedisc' is not the man for the job since he cauises to many problems for the taxpayers and people. Egan all the way - a lady a real lady
Jimmy T has secured the GOP nomination for this Congressional seat. The Dem bench looks very weak and perhaps Tracey Egan will secure that nomination. This looks like a cake walk for Jimmy Tedisco and a needed win for the GOP in NYS.
Logged
She's tanned, she's rested, she's from TV-10 {not BS-6 that said on its horrible website that Big Hose would open no later than August 08}, Tracey Egan-Democrat for Congress! Meanwhile, homeboy Jimmy T is running circles around his GOP opponents. Locked up Saratoga County. Whoever gets the GOP nod between Jimmy Tedisco and John Faso will be the new Congressman.
