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Democrats give nod to Hochul in NY-26 special election

By Howard B. Owens

Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul is the Democrats' pick to run in the NY-26 special election.

Hochul was the unanimous pick of seven county Democratic chairs after interviews in Geneseo this afternoon, according to Lorie Longhany, Genesee County chair.

Longhany said Hochul was impressive in the interviews.

"I can’t wait for Genesee County voters and the rest of the district to get a chance to know Kathy," Longhany said. "I think people will be very pleased with Kathy's record."

Longhany praised Hochul for streamlining Department of Motor Vehicle  processes in Erie County during her term as clerk, "saving taxpayers time and money."

"We all decided that she is the candidate who can get things done in Washington," Longhany said.

The Republican candidate is Jane Corwin. Both David Bellevia and Jack Davis are attempting to secure enough signatures to get their names on the ballot.

UPDATE: In the initial post, we included a press release from Corwin's campaign but didn't jump this post. We now have a press release from Hochul's campaign.  Both press releases appear verbatim after the jump.

Corwin's campaign immediately attacked Hochul, releasing the following statement minutes after Hochul was announced as the Democratic pick.

Matthew Harakal, Communications Director for Jane Corwin for Congress, issued the following statement today after Kathy Hochul was selected as the Democrat candidate for Congress in New York's 26th District:

"It's good to see that Kathy Hochul was able to find the Democrat Chair meeting in Geneseo, considering she doesn't even live in the 26th District. It's no surprise that her record of raising taxes and fees resonated with Washington Democrats and now she’s their handpicked candidate. A career politician who has routinely voted to raise taxes and fees is just what Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats want, but it's exactly what Western New Yorkers are sick of."

Press release from Hochul's campaign:

ERIE COUNTY - The Democratic County Chairs of Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties have unanimously nominated Kathy Hochul as the Democratic nominee for the May 24th special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.
 
After interviewing potential nominees one last time on Saturday, the County Chairs announced Hochul as their nominee in Geneseo. 
 
“I am running for Congress because I can do in Washington what I’ve done in Erie County – cut waste, hold down taxes, and help Western New York businesses create jobs for working families,” said Hochul.  “I am looking forward to meeting residents throughout the district, and sharing my plan to get people back to work and get our economy back on track.”
 
“Kathy Hochul has been a proven leader in Erie County and will work to support Western New York’s hard working families,” said Judith Hunter, Chair of the Livingston County Democratic Committee.  “She understands the struggles that businesses face and will work hard to help them grow and create jobs right here where it matters.”
 
Among her many accomplishments, Kathy has:
§  Created innovative new programs to get residents to renew their licenses and registrations locally – keeping much needed revenues here in Western New York instead of sending it to Albany,

§  Stood up to her own party and successfully fought Albany’s ill-conceived plan to mandate license plates, saving $129 million for motorists across the State, and

§  Initiated the effort to permanently remove burdensome tolls from the NYS thruway near Buffalo, saving millions for businesses and residents across the region.

Chris Charvella

Well, Hochul's accomplishments stand in direct opposition to the lies Corwin's hired hands are already telling about her. If that tired old Nancy Pelosi schtick is the best they can come up with, Republicans are going to be in for a disappointment come election day.

Somebody needs to tell Jane Corwin and her Queen-maker crew that it takes more than a couple million bucks in the bank to be an effective representative.

Kathy Hochul won 80% of the vote for Erie County Clerk in 2010. No, that's not a typo. In the year Carl Paladino stomped all over Western New York, Kathy outperformed him. That happened because she's an effective, qualified leader and voters chose to reward her for it. They'll reward her again in May.

Mar 19, 2011, 5:34pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

I'll say it again, Corwin needs to can that spokesperson, he is pathetic. Jane is not the only one padding her resume however. On her website, Hochul claims credit for making Erie County the number 1 county in issuing the Enhanced Drivers License. I' m sure Erie county had some stiff competition from all the other counties bordering another country with a natural wonder and major casinos.

Mar 19, 2011, 8:21pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Fair enough Jeff, but at least it's true. It's not like Kathy is claiming to have been creating jobs since she was ten years old like another candidate I won't bother to name...

Mar 19, 2011, 11:07pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

There is a clear difference with the candidates. Corwin is Wall Street, born with a pedigree -- much like Chris Lee. And actually being handled by the same people that brought us the disgraced ex craigslist congressman. Kathy Hochul is Main Street, with a record of good governance with real results.

And they're wrong on another part of their hit piece. Kathy actually knows Geneseo well. Her son attended college there. Before and after the interview she literally took a walk down Main St to visit a favorite diner. The kind of business she will go to Washington and fight for.

What's Langworthy and Co so afraid of?

Mar 20, 2011, 12:19am Permalink
John Roach

Didn't we call Houcel's selection about a month ago? She is most wealth of the Democrats and that was a major consideration. She might not be as wealthy as Corwin, but she was the wealthiest Dem.

And it was clear that after Lee, neither party was going to nominate another male this time.

Truth is they are both going to fluff up their resume. As for Hochul's efforts to keep money in her county, that's what our County Clerk, Mr. Reed, has been doing for years. Maybe she copied Genesee County?

As for initiating the elimination of tolls near Buffalo, I believe that was started by members of her own party long before she got in office.

Mar 20, 2011, 9:37am Permalink
bud prevost

Though he doesn't stand a snowball's chance, I'm backing David Bellavia. He lacks political experience, which is precisely his appeal. Whoever wins, there won't be a seat to run for in 2012. I kind of hope when they do re-district, they include Leroy in Louise Slaughter's district. I will vote for anybody but her.

Mar 20, 2011, 10:00am Permalink
John Roach

Bea,
No. There is one local man, Mr. Bellavia, who might be able to get on the ballot. I like him better than the two major party leaders picks.

Mar 20, 2011, 10:14am Permalink
Bea McManis

John,
I hope Bellavia makes the ballot as well. It is always good to see a local person, with a genuine interest, participate.
That said, I will support Kathy Hochul, not because of party affiliation but because I think she is the best person for the job.

Mar 20, 2011, 10:46am Permalink
Lorie Longhany

John, again you are wrong on a number of your points. If you had been sitting through our process you would know that.

We had some very good candidates come forward. Three women, four men. They all had unique qualities that made each one of them stand out individually. We had a doctor, a nurse, an engineer, a small business owner, a prison guard and a union organizer. In the end Kathy had MORE of the combined unique qualities to win an election and that stood out.

And you're wrong about the self funding, too. Kathy is putting in some personal money, but she is not a millionaire. Will she be able to raise money? Yes.

I know that it will be very easy to look at me as biased, and I am, but I've seen Kathy Hochul fight for her constituents. She is like a steam roller. Party loyalty plays no part if she thinks that a proposal is stupid and wasteful. She personally drove to Albany to fight Spitzer's license for immigrant proposal just weeks after Spitzer appointed her to the position.

And she doesn't copy Genesee County. She leads and she leads aggressively. It's just her makeup.

Mar 20, 2011, 10:47am Permalink
George Richardson

Even though I would never vote for a member of the Republican Party in it's current state, or my current State, I hope Bellavia get's a shot. His most obvious campaign slogan could, and should be: "Bellavia for Batavia, and a bunch of other people."

Mar 20, 2011, 11:04am Permalink
C. M. Barons

By the way... There is a Green Party candidate for the 26th congressional seat: Ian Murphy. Best-known for outing Wisconsin-governor, Scott Walker while posing as David Koch; he is editor of The Beast.

Mar 20, 2011, 2:26pm Permalink
John Roach

Dan,
Thanks for the link on this Green Party guy. A good number of WNY National Guardsmen and Reserve soldiers were called up this month, and this guy wants to be their Congressman, a guy who seems to hate our soldiers.

Mar 20, 2011, 6:09pm Permalink
Bea McManis

I don't think he hates the soldier, he hates the bloodbaths we've been involved in for too many years.
I may not agree with his way of venting his frustration, I will agree with, "...the left can only argue against these things by appealing to reason. In America, that fails every time. We respond best to partisan venom and ad hominem attacks.
The right has no problem painting their opponents as cowards or godless heathens, but liberals—instead of sticking to the merits of their arguments—fight those accusations by leaning right, praising god and guns, and pandering to the people who cling to them. The left has taken to appeasing bullies as their only course to victory. And that’s no victory at all.
Liberals need to start calling a moron a moron—and openly mocking that moron if his positions or actions are indefensible. Just as Limbaugh or Hannity insults the left, tilting the battlefield so liberals are left scrounging for their patriotic bona fides, the left must begin attacking stupidity..."
Being labeled a liberal, progressive, etc. is not a bad thing. I gladly wear that badge.

Mar 20, 2011, 6:56pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

Murphy doesn't hate the troops. He's a pacifist and he chose to use provocative language to make a point. It was a point that I didn't agree with because some of his assumptions were incorrect, but I understood where he was going with it.

Mar 20, 2011, 7:20pm Permalink
John Roach

Bea,
He titles his rant, "F... the Troops". He then calls them "A.. holes". Yep, sounds like he really loves the troops to me.

He also said this about our troops, "So, 4000 rubes are dead. Cry me the Tigris. Another 30,000 have been seriously wounded. Boo fucking hoo. They got what they asked for—and cool robotic limbs, too."

He also calls religious believes, "stupid". While he might not be a fan of religion, to call it "stupid" is probably not the way to win an election in WNY.

And you like this guy?

Mar 20, 2011, 7:22pm Permalink
Chris Charvella

John, congratulations, your reaction is exactly the one Murphy was attempting to elicit.

I thought his article was distasteful, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Mar 20, 2011, 7:36pm Permalink
bud prevost

The guy is a douchebag, pure and simple. Much in common with Westboro Baptist, this numbnut has a right to free speech. He's just an asshole looking for attention. He got it pulling a fast one on Gov Walker.

Mar 20, 2011, 7:40pm Permalink
George Richardson

Bud,
Walker couldn't stop talking once he was convinced it was Mr. Moneybags, even though he should have been thinking, has this man been drinking or is he always this big of an A-hole? But he didn't counter or refute any stupid remarks. On a different note, NPR never should have caved. That disgusts me.

Mar 20, 2011, 8:31pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Moronic, yes. Even Beck couldn't buy that one. But, her followers in the far extreme right will sing in her choir.
Such is life, I guess.

Mar 20, 2011, 8:33pm Permalink

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