In recent memory, the race for the 43rd state Senate seat was generally an open-and-closed affair, with deeply rooted 32-year Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, winning handily every time. With his recent departure, however, the door to his seat has been left propped open and a round of fresh faces is entering the race to claim it.
Four candidates two Democrats and two Republicans will be facing off Tuesday, Sept. 9, for the chance to represent their parties in the general election. They are Republicans Roy McDonald and Ray Seney, and Democrats Brian Premo and Mike Russo.
Christopher Consuello, who is employed by the Troy Department of Public Works, will be appearing on the Working Families line in a race against Premo, as well.
The 43rd covers much of Saratoga County, including Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Saratoga Springs, Malta and Milton. There are more registered Republicans than Democrats in the county, but not by leaps and bounds. Republicans number over 77,000, while there are nearly 59,000 Democrats.
In anticipation of the primary, Spotlight Newspapers circulated a questionnaire to the four candidates. It asked the candidates to put five issues ` economy, health care, energy, the war on terror, campaign finance reform ` in order of importance; rate the current Senate, identify Bruno’s legacy and a point they disagree with him on; and critique the state’s recent effort to cut spending. It also asked more open-ended questions about why they were running for office.
The following are the results of the questionnaire, edited for length, with some information on the candidates, who are listed in alphabetical order.
Roy McDonald,
R-Saratoga Springs
`I believe my experience in eliminating property taxes, creating jobs and spearheading important social programs for veterans and children with disabilities will serve constituents of the 43rd Senate District well,` said McDonald.
McDonald, 61, is currently an Assemblyman for the 112th District, representing Washington County and parts of Saratoga and Rennselaer counties. He has secured many endorsements, including that of Bruno. He has also raised the most money of all the candidates.
He praised Bruno’s impact on the region. `Sen. Bruno made revitalizing the economies of the Capital Region priority No. 1, and we will continue to benefit from his efforts for years to come.`
He did not identify any contention with Bruno’s work.
`It’s tough to disagree with an elected official who has done so much in so many different areas for us locally,` said McDonald.
McDonald said he has the experience needed for the job.
`I believe I have a record that is based on results. You don’t get elected to be a town and county supervisor and then to the state Assembly without people being happy with the work you’ve done. When I talk to voters, they talk about issues that I have dealt with firsthand ` reducing property taxes, creating jobs, supporting important social programs. I encourage voters to review my record and hope they understand that I will continue fighting for their best interests.`
Priorities: Economy, health care, energy, campaign finance reform and the war on terror.
Senate grade: C
Choice for president: John McCain
Religious affiliation: Christian
Campaign workers: 10 volunteers
Is experience needed to run for this office?: Yes
Salary: $79,500
Brian Premo,
D-Brunswick
`For years, I have been frustrated with the well-known dysfunction of our state Legislature and its failed policies. As we all know, Albany has been broken for decades. Our state’s problems did not start yesterday and they were not caused by one political party. So, although I have a successful law practice and the 43rd District seat was then held by the Senate Majority Leader, a few years ago I decided to run for Senate with the pledge that if elected, I would make it my priority to help end the dysfunction in Albany and adopt effective legislation in an effort to solve our serious and complex state problems without increasing taxes. What better way to initiate that agenda than by challenging the icon of Albany’s dysfunction?`
Brian Premo, 48, a criminal defense and personal injury attorney, is running on a platform of reform. Though he has never held an elected office, he feels that a radical change is needed to chart the course in Albany.
`I believe strongly that the lack of past public office holding may be an asset for an otherwise qualified candidate to become an effective senator today. Politics often can cause office-holders to suffer from myopic vision and to buckle to the influences of special interests (although there certainly are officials who manage to keep their vision of public service clear).
Premo said the Legislature will be better off without Bruno.
`I hope that with Sen. Bruno’s retirement, the Legislature will now enact true ethics reform. One of the most important issues over which I have disagreed with Mr. Bruno is the need for transparency in the budget and legislative process.
When asked why residents of the 43rd should vote for him, Premo responded, `I have fought for people’s rights my entire professional career of over 23 years. From the time I was an assistant district attorney to today in my private practice, I have been a strong advocate of people’s rights and the rule of law. As special interests continue to dominate our government, isn’t it time to elect someone in the 43rd Senate District with a proven track record of standing up to the special interests of others, especially when they are contrary to the public good?`
Senate grade: D
Choice for president: Barack Obama
Religious affiliation: Did not respond.
Campaign workers: Approximately 20
Is experience needed to run for this office?: No
Salary: Did not respond.
Mike Russo,
D-Saratoga Springs
`I believe that one of the things most lacking in our representative government is the perspective of ‘regular people.’ While I have nothing against lawyers or career politicians, I think that the lack of others’ perspectives has led to dysfunction. The problem is that average people don’t have the necessary experience or connections to run an effective campaign or be a successful lawmaker. I am lucky enough to have that experience.
`While I have a lifetime of service to the public, I am not a lifetime politician, banker or lawyer. My strength comes from the fact that I know what it is like to work 12-hour shifts, weekends and raise two sons as a single parent. I know what it is like to have to stretch your income to pay the bills. I know the challenges New York’s working men, women and families face every day and will be an effective and outspoken advocate on their behalf in the New York state Senate.`
Mike Russo, 50, left his position as district representative at Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand’s, D-Greenport, office to join the race. Since his arrival just before the filing deadline, Russo has secured many endorsements, including most of the Democratic committees in the 43rd.
He says he will `stand up for what is right, regardless of whether or not my position is politically popular,` and will listen to others in kind in hopes of promoting a transparent government.
`Senator Bruno’s No. 1 legacy will be his ability to bring funding to the area as the majority leader and to improve public facilities (airport, train station etc.). I strongly disagree with his established operational rules that prohibit the minority party from having any meaningful say in the legislative process.
`I think all of our senators, regardless of their party affiliation, should have their say in our legislative process. As a majority member in the Senate, I would support increasing the role of the minority party and changing the rules so all of our elected Senators can express the views of their constituents.`
Russo applauded the legislature’s recent efforts to decrease spending, but said more should be done. He suggested examining the usefulness of paid consultants and political appointees, auditing all agencies and eliminating waste and `eliminating fraud and abuse within the Medicaid program.`
Priorities: Economy, health care, energy, war on terror, campaign finance reform.
Senate grade: D
Choice for president: Barack Obama
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
Campaign workers: Approximately 40, mostly volunteers
Is experience needed to run for this office?: `I think that some degree of political experience is good so you have an understanding of how the system works and have a realistic view of what can be accomplished and how. The key to be effective is to not be a lifetime politician, beholding to special interests and large campaign donors.`
Salary: Did not respond.
Ray Seney,
R-Nassau
`New strong leadership is needed in state government. Our Legislature has become dysfunctional and protects special interests more than the people it is supposed to represent. This has put our economy in a disastrous state and has caused taxes to continue to escalate. We need representatives that are proven to work hard during tough times and turn things around. I have proven to be such a person.`
Ray Seney, 49, is a lifelong resident of the Capitol District and a current Town of Nassau councilman and former town supervisor. Before entering political life, he worked as a computer specialist.
He said that his experiences in Nassau taught him how to produce results, and he promised to put aside partisan politics to do the same in the Senate.
`I have no political debts to other legislators, I work in a bipartisan fashion and I owe nothing to special interest groups. This frees me to be able to work with all of the legislators and the governor to bring forth the policy changes that are desperately needed for our economy to rebound. I also believe that I am the candidate that has the best chance of winning the general election. People from all parties are sick-and-tired of the politics as usual and are demanding change.`
Seney said that the state should focus on reducing its debt in addition to seeking ways to reduce spending.
`Back door borrowing must be curtailed for long term savings,` he said. `The Legislature needs to be working on a long-term plan to reduce spending matched with reduced taxes. This policy will attract more businesses creating tax revenues that can be used to reduce debt. Debt reduction in turn reduces interest expense.`
He praised Bruno as being a `hard worker.`
`Some legislators become complacent, are lazy, only show up to vote yes or no on bills, and put forth little effort to create policy that could help citizens. I might not agree with everything Joe has done, but at least he worked hard and made some positive contributions,` said Seney.
`The bad thing that he did while a senator was to create a system of protectionism for himself and political associates using taxpayer money,` he continued. `Many up-and-coming Republicans that were needed to ‘refresh and strengthen’ the party were figuratively ‘eaten’ by their own. The effect protected non-performing legislators that became ‘yes men’ and prohibited strong Republicans from assuming the positions of weaker politicians. It was this policy that has caused the Senate to be at a point of losing the majority. I am one of the few Republicans willing to fight this system for the citizens in my district.`
Priorities: Economy, health care, energy; war on terror; campaign finance reform.
Senate grade: D
Choice for president: Did not answer.
Religious affiliation: Did not answer.
Campaign workers: Approximately 10
Is experience needed to run for this office?: No` What is important is the potential of the individual running for election.`
Salary: Did not respond.
For more primary-race coverage, visit www.spotlightnews.com.
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