Spin Cycle

State and Suffolk Independence Party leader Frank MacKay, right, has turned up the volume in the Senate split, re-issuing this statement on behalf of the "coalition":

June 28, 2009 --

ISLANDIA, NY -- "The surprising events of recent days have left many New Yorkers wondering if our legislature in Albany has decayed into complete and
meaningless chaos.

The chaos may be real, but the current drive toward a more democratic coalition
government represents the best hope we have for reforming the draconian Senate
rules of the past. The reforms are necessary regardless of who
initiated them, and many more are needed.

Whether a region is represented by a Democrat, Republican, or an independent, all
New Yorkers deserve to share equally in Member Item grants, have their legislation
considered and brought to the floor, and finally, open meetings for all to witness.

At first look, the current situation may seem distasteful, but as the
Chairman of the Independence Party of New York, I applaud the actions
of Tom Golisano, the Founder of our Party, to pass a reform agenda. I
also admire the courage of those who have demonstrated leadership in
the face of intense public scrutiny, to bring critical reform measures
to the forefront of the statewide dialogue.

Whatever may happen over the next few days and months, I urge everyone
to put political affiliations aside and move to make Albany more democratic for
all New Yorkers."

After knocking on doors for more than a year and a half, Suffolk legislative aide Brendan Stanton has dropped out of the Democratic primary for county legislature against Patrick Nolan, son of Islip's Democratic town supervisor, said Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman.

Schaffer said Stanton, an aide to Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon), sent him an e-mail Friday night informing him of his decision. Stanton, 26, had been campaigning since late 2007 and knocked on several thousand doors in his bid for the nomination. Stanton did not immediately return calls for comment.

However, Nolan, who now works for Huntington town, entered the race earlier this year. He represents a third generation of one of Islip's leading Democratic families, which includes his father Philip, a former county legislator and now supervisor, and uncle George, who is also a former legislator and now counsel to the county Legislature.

(Note: A look in April at what was then a brewing primary race is posted here.

Democrats last month decided to allow both candidates ....

Rick Brand

Continue reading "Suffolk: After effort, Horsley aide drops Dem run for seat" »

State and Suffolk Independence Party chairman Frank MacKay hailed reforms enacted during the blink of an eye when Skelos and Espada commanded a 32-vote majority. Legitimate changes include, he said, equal office resource* distributions, term limits on leadership posts, independence for committee chairs in staff hiring, and a clearer path to floor votes.

Last year, Independence Party activists also expressed an interest in averting an all-Democratic Legislature during a Democratic governorship: The potential for the state to ban what is already banned in most states -- a system of ballot cross-endorsement where candidates can collect votes from multiple lines -- would undercut the clout of parties like the one founded by Senate coup broker Thomas Golisano.

More recently, MacKay came out in favor of Sen, Darrell Aubertine for the vacant upstate Congressional seat -- which others have pointed out could have the happy side effect of helping turn the Senate district Republican again and swing the majority back to the GOP.

It has looked for some time as if Independence sometimes wags the Republican dog as the Working Families Party does with the Democrats. Both sides' enthusiasts resent the comparison, and argue for their relative legitimacy.

But that aspect of the Senate deadlock is one of those only-in-New-York situations.

*error correction

Last week, the Times quoted Independence Party operative Steve Pigeon as saying that Roger Stone, the famous and flamboyant self-promoting Republican NIxon-Reagan-Dole dirty trickster, knew in advance of the unfolding Republican coup that has taken hold in the Senate chamber. (Muckety map of his career connections is here).

Apparently that's more than Republican state chairman Joe Mondello can claim, as Celeste Hadrick revealed here earlier in the week.

Stone's most recent documented rise to relevance came during the short reign of Gov. Eliot Spitzer when Stone allegedly made threatening phone calls to Spitzer's father -- thus managing to give the prostitute-procuring governor some public sympathy before his fall and leading Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to purportedly fire Stone as a consultant.

Then Stone looked to let it be said that he had a role in undoing Spitzer last year and said something about the governor wearing black socks during trysts. Stone's unverified claims aroused both curiosity and skepticism.

Discerning hype from fact in Stone's world would seem, by design, to be a political parlor game.

But the mystical Stone is around and about, clearly.

Back in April he was spotted over in Clifton Park, resulting in a cell-phone photo being posted on the pro-Democrat "Albany Project" Web site.

So far, with a politically sensitive power operation in play, there is no hint of a role on Stone's Web site, his latest posting being an endorsement of gay marriage, filed at a point when the GOP was looking to lure more Democrats into the conference.

Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs' feud with Nassau Independence Party Chairman Bobby Kumar apparently is over.

“We did come to terms,” Jacobs, left, acknowledged Tuesday. He said Kumar “will be endorsing the legislative incumbents that we run and he will be endorsing Tom Suozzi for County Executive, Kathleen Rice for district attorney and Howard Weitzman for comptroller.”

That means Kumar did not agree to endorse Legis. Roger Corbin, who has been charged with evading taxes on $226,000 he allegedly received from a developer in his district. Although the Westbury Democrat insists he is running this fall, the party is not expected to nominate him next week.

Jacobs said Kumar had not committed to giving the Independence line to any challengers. That means Republican-turned-Democrat Nina Petraro Bastardi will not be getting the Independence line against veteran Republican lawmaker John Ciotti of North Valley Stream.

It also means that Kumar will be giving the line to incumbent Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) rather than Republican challenger Joseph Belesi. That led to great consternation at GOP headquarters in Westbury today as Republican Chairman Joseph Mondello tried to change Kumar’s mind, sources said.

“As a prerequisite for having any relationship with him, I had to have my incumbents,” Jacobs said.

Kumar said he took the recommendations of his screening committee, which included all Democratic incumbents except Corbin.

“As chairman, it is my responsiblity to do what is in the best interests of the Independence Party but above all the best interest of Nassau County.” Kumar said.

He added that Belesi “is a nice man and I wish him luck.” But he said, “I have to do what my committee had suggested me to do.”

Jacobs had fumed publicly several times that Kumar had double-crossed him in the past and was not to be trusted. He instructed incument legislators not to deal with Kumar and even had party leaders pass a resolution banning any individual dealings with Kumar.

Those days are over, for now.

Asked about the feud, Jacobs said,“Feud? What feud?”

Kumar said, “In politics, people agree and disagree.”

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who sidled up to Conservatives last month, is to be feted by another minor party.

Frank MacKay, chairman of the state and Suffolk Independence Party, said Cuomo will be honored as the headliner at the party’s spring fundraiser, tenatively set for April 27 at the Venetian Yacht Club in Babylon. Also being honored: Builder Ronald Parr, and Cheryl Felice, president of the Suffolk Associaton of Municipal Employees.

MacKay’s party did not back Cuomo when he first ran for attorney general, but that was because it was instrumental in getting Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro to switch from the U.S. Senate race against Hillary Clinton.

MacKay said the decision to honor Cuomo should not be read as a move against Gov. David Paterson, whom he considers a friend even with his poll numbers in drastic decline. “Andrew has not announced himself as anything but a candidate for AG,” said MacKay, who personally supports Cuomo’s reelection and believes members of his party feel the same way. “He has been very statesmanlike and his tenure as attorney general has been impeccable.”

Rick Brand

At least one person who attended the Nassau Independence Party’s fundraiser Sunday described it as almost a Republican event.

Every Nassau Republican who is somebody — or wants to be somebody — was there, including Joe Mondello, the county and state GOP chairman.

Also attending were likely county legislative candidates, Chris Browne, who is expected to again challenge Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin) and Joe Belesi, likely repeat challenger to Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale); Hempstead Town Board Member Jim Darcy, who is rumored to be considering a run against County Executive Thomas Suozzi, and Massapequa Park Mayor James Altadonna, a possible candidate against County Comptroller Howard Weitzman.

But it wasn’t all Republicans. Two Nassau Democrats also attended the event: State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and county Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick), at left, even though Nassau chairman Jay Jacobs warned party members to stay away because he doesn't trust county Independence Party chairman Bobby Kumar.

Jacobs shrugged off DiNapoli’s presence, saying, saying, “This doesn’t impact state officials. I wouldn’t have expected him to participate or not participate.”

But Jacobs was clearly angry about Denenberg. Jacobs noted.....

-- Celeste Hadrick

Continue reading "Nassau Dem chief fumes at GOP-Indie love fest" »

Once again, there is talk in political circles of taking away the power of minor parties to make endorsement deals — generally in return for jobs — by changing state law to prevent candidates from running on multiple ballot lines or by outlawing cumulative voting -- that is, totaling votes received by one person from different parties.

For New York, one of the last states that cross-tallies votes for a candidate from different party lines, it would be an earthshaking change.

Much of the talk stems from Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs' ongoing feud with county Independence Party chairman Bobby Kumar. Jacobs contends Kumar reneged on deals to endorse the Democratic candidates in contested races while Kumar denies misleading anyone.

Jacobs acknowledges there have been discussions about “one-person, one-line.”
“We’re looking at that issue,” Jacobs said. “It’s certainly what the rest of the United States does. There is some validity to the idea that if you’re going to have independent parties, they should independently make their own case. There’s an argument to be made that’s not good for the public. We’re the only state in the country that has fusion voting.”

However, Jacobs added, “My main concern now is to get the Independence party to play fair and give to endorsements to both parties, not give us snow in the winter.”

-- Celeste Hadrick

Suffolk Legis. Jay Schneiderman, an ex-Republican who defected to the Independence Party last July 4, may face trouble being renominated by his old party.

Marcus Stinchi, Southampton GOP chairman, whose town makes up the largest part of Schneiderman’s district, has made it known he opposes the Montauk lawmaker’s renomination because of the switch. “That’s accurate,” said Stinchi, adding, “I’m the Republican leader and my job is to bring responsible Republicans to the table.” Stinchi said he warned Schneiderman beforehand that his support “would be in jeopardy” if he quit the GOP. He said Schneiderman, who won in his last run with 70 percent of the vote, could appear at a party screening to seek renomination. But Stinchi said Schneiderman’s chances were “slim” and that most of his 82 town committee members feel that way. Despite such talk, Schneiderman said he’s “still interested” in the Republican line, though acknowledging he had “casual talks” with Democrats. But denying Schneiderman the GOP line might incur the wrath of state and Suffolk Independence Party chairman Frank MacKay — who Southampton Republicans might want in their corner for the rest of the GOP town slate. At last week’s Third Party Club meeting in Blue Point, MacKay quipped while introducing Schneiderman: “Guess how mad we’re going to be if (Schneiderman doesn't) get a major party line.”

Rick Brand

In case you've started taking that across-the-aisle thing too literally, consider this dispatch from Newday's Eden Laikin:

Gary Melius of the Oheka Castle in Huntington threw a Super Bowl party for his Monday night poker buddies and more than 200 of their friends and family.

The tri-partisan party list included former US Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Congressman Steve Israel, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, North Hempstead Councilman Tom Dwyer, Independence Party state chairman and Suffolk co-chair Frank McKay, Former assistant US attorney Mark Lesko, who is running against Tim Mazzei for Brookhaven supervisor, and Nassau Leg. Sal Pontillo.

The partygoers gathered around a screen the size found in a movie theatre to watch the game in the ballroom. The menu ? White Castle sliders, french fries and onion rings. Hundreds of them.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's assistance to the losing Republican effort to keep hold of the state Senate included a $1.2 million injection into the housekeeping account of the Independence party under the guise of "issue advocacy" ads.

Rick Brand describes the maneuver here, which was disclosed in mid-January reports.

Bloomberg has always insisted on the logic that supporting the ruling party helps the city. Now, facing re-election in a dominantly Democratic city, he seems to be in a cramped position -- though there's more wealth where that came from.

Backing the wrong horse by his own definition: Just another compelling reason that New York City cannot afford to lose Bloomberg as mayor -- and positively must allow his third-term legal fix to pay off in defiance of two public referenda.

Some supporters of the president-elect took last fall's campaign to be a movement as much as a single national race. In that vein, Rick Brand reports:

Barack Obama’s top Long Island grassroots organizer Mark Cronin has a new cause. The Huntington Bay Democrat has joined Dennis Garetano, a former Republican town board candidate and now an Independence Party member, in a renewed effort to get the a referendum on establishing council districts in Huntington.

While the Democrats who control town board have opposed a referendum, Cronin, a party committee member, said he sees if as a “good government move,” noting out-of-power Demcorats successfully championed the same cause in Brookhaven four years ago and took over the town, though the GOP has since made a comeback.

“It’s a way to bring more people into government, a way to better connect with people,” he said, “If your road is not plowed you know who to call. If you represent everyone, many times you represent no one.”

Cronin, who said he was not a party member until the Obama camapign, said he is acting on his own and his involvement in the issue has no connection to the Obama campaign.

Suffolk Legis. Jack Eddington has left the Working Families Party for the Independence Party, a move to assure his minor party renomination next year.

Eddington said of the switch, which takes effect this week: “I just felt the values and principles of the Independence Party were more in line and consistent with mine.”

Eddington’s political ally, Suffolk Working Families Party chairman Chuck Pohanka, earlier this year lost a legal battle with the state party which took away most of his power. The courts ruled only the state committee has power to nominate candidates and allow non-party members to run on the WFP line. Pohanka claimed organized county committees also had nominating power.

That meant the state party could deny Eddington renomination next year, forcing him to wage a primary to win its ballot line. Eddington, of Medford, also runs with Democratic support. His wife, Assemb. Patricia Eddington remains a Working Families member, but her aide Donna Lent, another Pohanka ally, also switched.

Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk Independence Party, welcomed Eddington: “He’s as independent as you can get and there’s nothing better than that.” The lawmaker’s change gives MacKay’s party a bloc of two in the county legislature. Former Republican Legis. Jay Schneiderman of Montauk joined on July 4. Dan Levitan, Working Famiulies spokesman, said Eddington did nothing to help build the party and “We’re pleased...that he’s gone and out of our hair.”

Rick Brand

New York’s Independence Party has launched an all-out mail blitz for veteran State Sen. Caesar Trunzo (R-Brentwood), in photo at left, in his re-election bid.

But the state party, which has Trunzo on its ballot line, says it will not disclose how it is financing the mailings or how much it is spending on them until January. Three mailings have already gone out and more are likely, though party officials didn’t give specifics. Party sources say Trunzo is the only Long Island GOP Senator for whom the minor party is doing mail, but sources say GOP veteran Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City), in photo at right, may also get help.

The tag line on the mailings is “State Senator Caesar Trunzo Independent For Us.” The pieces praise Trunzo for supporting the tax cap, keeping property taxes down, and keeping the cost of living down. No piece solicits votes for Trunzo but invites residents to call the senator at 631-360-3236 and “tell him to keep fighting” for them. Party officials say the mailings are funded out of the party’s housekeeping account and they are “issue advocacy” pieces.

Because the mailings do not urge votes for a candidate, party officials say they do not have to report the fundraising or expenditures until January. Mailings that solicit votes must report their spending and fundraising 32 and 11 days before the election, and 10 days after. “We’ve done everything by the book,” said Frank MacKay, state chairman. But Doug Forand, Senate Democrats campaign consultant, said Trunzo is the minor party’s candidate and MacKay is “jumping though hoops” to “clearly try to evade” campaign finance laws.

Rick Brand

Patchogue’s Democratic Mayor Paul Pontieri (left) showed up last Monday for a confirmation hearing for a seat on the new Long Island Regional Planning Council, but was quietly told to take a powder because his resolution was being tabled.

The tabling, which delays confirmation vote until after Election Day, came after Democratic Legis. Jack Eddington raised concerns in legislative caucus several days earlier, according to county sources. “Jack made a very compelling case,” said one lawmaker who did not wish to be identified. “But I don’t think he wants to defeat him. It’s more of a chance to kiss and make up.”

Pontieri’s relations with Eddington and his Assemblywoman wife Patricia have long been strained. Last fall, Pontieri not only appeared in direct mail for Eddington’s GOP opponent Brian Egan, after doing so for Eddington, Pontieri later named Egan as village attorney....

Rick Brand

Continue reading " Patchogue pol P. Pontieri's plan-panel post postponed" »

Last-minute efforts to get incumbent Republican Appellate judge Robert Lifson the Independence Party line fell apart Monday night.

Despite calls from numerous top Republicans -- including former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato -- Frank MacKay, Suffolk and state Independence Party chairman, said he balked at backing the former Huntington Republican chairman because a long time Lifson ally, Robert Garfinkle of Huntington, had created too many enemies for himself.

While he said he "likes Garfinkle personally," MacKay said that giving Lifson the nomination would have been "disrespectful" to other political officials he has worked with for a long time. Although MacKay would not mention those officials by name, Garfinkle warred with Suffolk Republican chairman Harry Withers until he was forced out as county elections commissioner.

Attorney Garfinkle also incurred the wrath of Suffolk Conservative leader Edward Walsh by representing former Smithtown Conservative chairman Jimmy Tsunis in a lawsuit against the party leader. "It was the political equivalent of horsing around with a hunting rifle and inadvertantly shooting your best friend," said MacKay.

On the Republican ballot in November, Lifson will be third in line under Jerry Garguilo, a close friend of County Executive Steve Levy and a Republican running on the Demcoratic, Conservative and the Independence Party lines. Lifson has the Republican and Working Families Party lines. Islip District Court Judge Patricia Filiberto has only the GOP line, but has the first ballot position.

In addition to Garguilo, the Independence Party, at its convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Holtsville, nominated Republican incumbent Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Davis, assistant Suffolk District Attorney Hector LaSalle, and Conservative William Condon.

Rick Brand

With Republicans all but predicting Democratic Sen. Craig Johnson's political demise (see previous item) the pro-Johnson forces have issued these broadsides:

First we heard from Doug Forand, chief strategist for the Senate Democratic campaign committee, on the Senate Republican committee's assessment of the race:

"This only shows that Senator Skelos' peculiar obsession with Senator Craig Johnson continues to skew his political judgement. Clearly, Senator Skelos has not been able to move on from the embarrassing loss he suffered in 2007 and as a result continues to pour SRCC resources into Barbara Donno's quixotic campaign.

"Craig Johnson has been an exemplary State Senator during his first term, fighting tirelessly for property tax relief and delivering record levels of aid to schools in his district.

"It is certainly Senator Skelos' right to fiddle in Great Neck while the rest of his Republican conference's re-election plans burn, and we hope he continues to do so as it draws much-needed resources from threatened Republican incumbents. Regardless of whatever shenanigans the Republicans try to pull with their ballot access challenges, the voters of the 7th Senatorial District know a good thing when they see it, and Craig Johnson will be comfortably re-elected in November."

Reacting to today's judicial decisions, Working Families executive director Dan Cantor declared:

"Senate Republicans used the courts to circumvent the democratic process and the will of Working Families Party members in the 7th Senate District."

"Senator Johnson has been a champion of middle and working class values, and has worked tirelessly ...

Continue reading "Crossfire builds in Donno-Johnson Senate proxy war" »

Battling to keep and expand on the Republicans' currently razor-thin majority in the State Senate, their leader Dean Skelos today sent a letter to Rocheser billionaire Tom Golisano urging him to support GOP incumbents this fall.

Skelos of Rockville Centre pointed out that his party’s policies are more closely allied with that of Golisano (in photo, posted on his charity foundation's Web site), co-founder of the state’s Independence Party, whose leaders have sided with the GOP, than the Democrats'.

Of course, behind all this is the fact that Golisano seems to be heading quite in the other direction. Specifically, he has praised Democrats seeking to unseat State Sen. Dale Volker (R-Depew) and Sen. Joe Robach (R-Rochester), and fill the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Williamsville). All could prove crucial in the parties' battle plan this fall.

Skelos is seeking some of the $5 million that Golisano has vowed to contribute to like-minded candidates in the November elections.

For text of the letter, click the continued line below.

James T. Madore

Continue reading "Skelos urges billionaire Golisano to turn $$$ his way" »

After Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs blasted the “setup” by which Republican Barbara Donno is getting the Independence nod for her Senate run, we reached Bobby Kumar, the Nassau party chairman, who’s been out of town, and he responded:

“I understand his (Jacobs’) disappointment and I respect him. He has every right to be mad. So do I - I’m mad too. Put it as bluntly as you want, I am absolutely disappointed. Craig is my guy through and through. I’ll work as hard as I can to get him elected.”

Kumar said state Independence chairman Frank MacKay (in photo at left) “had told me he would suport me to the last minute” before the party’s executive committee voted 24-1 to back Donno instead. MacKay expressed concern about the governor’s office, the state Assembly and the Senate ending up in Democratic hands.

Kumar said he’d been unaware until before the party acted that a crucial party rule on cross-endorsements had been changed, and Kumar heatedly insisted that he did not know ahead of time that he was to be overruled.

Said Kumar: “I wish that rule had not been changed, and we would not be discussing this, and Craig Johnson would have the line, I wouldn’t have compromised it no matter what... I understand (Jacobs) has reason to be disappointed and angry, but I know the truth -- and I’m as angry and disappointed as he is with my own party as well as with the Republicans.”

And speaking of the never-ending 7th S.D. race (a.k.a. the Jarndyce v. Jarndyce of electoral contests):

As previously reported here, the Independence Party ditched what had been its indicated support for the one-year incumbent, Craig Johnson -- and instead endorsed the Republican candidate, Barbara Donno (left).

This was to some Democrats reminiscent of the machinations that led to David Mejias’ losing Independence support, after Democrats' dealings with Bobby Kumar, chairman of the minor party in Nassau.

Jay Jacobs, the Nassau County Democratic chairman, condemned the latest turn and said “It has proven to me that promises that are made to me by the Independence Party are not worth the breath that carries them.”

“I don’t want to get into he-said she-said with Kumar and (state chairman Frank) MacKay," Jacobs added. "This was a setup. I’m many things -- but stupid is not one of them.”

Dan Janison

Islip has a new Independence Party chairman Robert Pilnick, but the new leader lives in Huntington.

Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk Independence Party chairman. said that Pilnick, 57, “has spent a tremendous amount of time in Islip organizing. It’s like another home to him.” Pilnick works in the Huntington town office of general services as a clerk of the works.

The Independence Party has 5,478 member in Islip and about 100 committee members. “Islip needs a new leader,” said MacKay “And by this time next year I expect the town party will be one of the strongest in the state.”

Pilnick replaces Fran Siems, who left the post in 2006 after more than a decade in the job in a dispute with MacKay because she backed Democrat Philip Nolan for town supervisor. MacKay backed former town board member Pamela Greene, who lost. “That really funny,” laughed Siems, noting that Pilnick worked with Nolan in Huntington. “He’s a lackey for Frank. ”

Rick Brand

Something not so funny happened to John Zaher on his way to filing petitions to run against Assemb. Patricia Eddington on the Independence Party line.

Zaher, who works as a consultant for Gershow Recycling, nemesis of the Eddingtons, thought he had filed 201 signatures when he droipped off petitions last Thursday. When he called to check aobut his opponent’s petitions the next day, he said he was told his own petitions were short of the 130 signatures required. It turns out that that 83 of his signatures on pages five through 15 were missing from the bound petitions he had filed a day earlier.

Zaher said he cannot explain what happened to the missing pages and is reviewing his legal options. He is also considering filing petitions to do what is known as an Opportunity To Ballot, which would allow him to run a write in campaign for the Independence line.

Rick Brand

Overruling Nassau Chairman Bobby Kumar, the state Independence Party’s executive committee is backing GOP state Senate candidate Barbara Donno against Democratic Sen. Craig Johnson.

The panel, meeting in Albany, voted 24-1 for Donno one day after Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk chairman, said he’d support Kumar, who’d petitioned for Johnson. (See previous post here).

"It was decided that this is in the best interest of the state," said MacKay, an ally of Senate Republicans who are fighting to keep a majority. "Having a government with checks and balances is more important than anything else."

Several sources say the Independence Party fears Democratic state domination would curb minor-party power by banning cross-endorsements. "I love New York City," McKay said. "But I don't want the whole state controlled by one party in New York City."

Republicans circulated a nominating petition for a 24-year-old friend of Donno’s son -- who dropped out hours after petitions were filed. Doug Forand, Democratic Senate campaign committee spokesman, accused GOP leaders of “starting their dirty tricks campaign early.”

Forand added, "This show that the Independence party is either independent nor a party, but a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Republican Party. (Majority Leader) Dean Skelos and (state and Nassau GOP Chairman) Joe Mondello are starting their dirty tricks campaign early. It is unfortunate that Barbara Donno is allowing herself to be used in this way." Donno, he noted, has been promoting herself as not a typical politician.

Last year, the GOP candidate against Johnson, Maureen O'Connell, had the Independence endorsement.....

Rick Brand

Continue reading "Cross-endorse-double-cross? 'I' line drops Sen. Dem" »

Republicans have filed petitions for candidates who have never voted to run primaries against freshman State Sen. Craig Johnson on the Independence and Working Family party lines.

But Nicole Gadaleta, 23, of Manhasset, who filed 531 signatures to get on the Independence ballot line, more than double the 255 she needed, declined the nomination just before the end of the day Friday, leaving it to a party committee on vacancies to fill the line. Democrats say her Facebook listing indicates she is friends with Republican candididate Barbara Donno’s daughter.

The GOP also circulated petitions for Patrick Lilavois of Westbury to run on the Working Families Party line. He filed 44 signatures, and needed only 17. Among those who circulated petitions in an attempt to deny Johnson the minor parties' lines were GOP heavyweights, including North Hemsptead GOP leader Frank Maroney, Nassau GOP elections commissioner John DeGrace, former town supervisor John Kiernan, and Mineola Republican leader Jacki Carway, whose husband John ran for North Hempstead supervisor last year.

“I am very disappointed if the Republicans tried to do this,” said Bobby Kumar, Nassau Independence chairman, who supports Johnson. But it is state chairman Frank MacKay who has the power authorize for non-party members to run on their ballot line. MacKay said he “will follow” Kumar’s lead on who to back.

Dan Cantor, the WFP executive director, called the move “the start of a new Republican dirty tricks campaign” and said the GOP “should be ashamed of themselves.“

Rick Brand

Gary Melius, owner of the late tycoon Otto Kahn’s Oheka Castle, and a poker buddy of super-lobbyist and former Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, has a new title — as “chief advisor” to Frank MacKay, chairman of the Independence Party of America. In a letter naming Melius to the unpaid post, MacKay, who also heads the state and county Independence Party, said: “Your commitment to furthering the goals of the national party and your invaluable counsel on independent politics were all key considerations in this key leadership appointment.”

Melius, who was also County Executive Steve Levy’s biggest donor in his first four years at $51,200, joins Jimmy Tsunis, former Smithtown Conservative leader and for years a formidable GOP fundraiser, who earlier this year was named a national vice chairman/finance director of MacKay’s national party and a vice-chairman of the local party. Melius, a longtime Republican, will change parties, said MacKay, and will be involved in building the party organization and professionalizing its structure so the party can attract a national candidate of its own down the road.

Rick Brand

Independence Party leader Frank MacKay brought more than three dozen supporters to presidential candidate John McCain’s town hall meeting Thursday night at Federal Hall in Manhattan that was televised on the Fox cable channel. MacKay, who has made no endorsement decision, sat in the corner, but major Long Island political fundraiser Mark Broxmeyer took a seat right behind McCain on the dais.

Rick Brand

While issuing its decision on the Working Families Party fight, the state's highest court today also unanimously upheld Independence Party officials to the extent that the legal issue was the same.

One year ago the party's state committee adopted various amendments to its party rules that allowed authorizations for cross-endorsements for all public offices in New York City to be made by its state committee. Chairs of the county committees in four of the five boroughs sued, contesting the amendments.

Earlier, a mid-level appellate panel found that the state committee could authorize candidacies in non-citywide public offices within the city, though not for city-wide offices. The state Court of Appeals in Albany has now agreed.

These authorizations, known as Wilson-Pakula certificates, are for non-party members who are looking for cross-endorsements. This is the main role that the minor party plays, as a second or third ballot line for major-party candidates of their preference.

Bottom line: State party committees have had a key portion of their authority endorsed by the court.

Click here for the high court ruling in the case.

Dan Janison

Last year Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) faced Nassau Clerk Maureen O'Connell, a Republican opponent with both Conservative and Independence Party endorsements, for what was then an open seat.

His GOP foe this time, Barbara Donno, snared the Conservative line after some push-and-pull.

But Johnson is about to get the Independence endorsement, said Bobby Kumar, the party’s county chair — who added Donno “did well” in screening interviews “but he (Johnson) did better.”

Dan Janison

Nassau Conservatives on Thursday interviewed Republican Senate candidate Barbara Donno, mayor of Plandome Manor, who’s challenging Democratic incumbent Craig Johnson. We've heard conflicting accounts of how she was received. Some said just fine -- others said the alienated third party wants someone else. Both Johnson and Donno face screening for the Independence nod this week. Last year Republican Maureen O’Connell got 4,168 votes from the ‘C’ and ‘I’ lines in the special election for the former Mike Balboni seat.

Dan Janison

It’s not official yet, but you can pencil in July 29 for the special election to fill the 15th District seat of Suffolk Legis. Elie Mystal (left) who departed amid questions about his residency. A resolution setting that date is expected to be acted on next month by the legislature.

Democrats have settled on Duwayne Gregory, who was Mystal’s aide, as the candidate to succeeed him. Harry Withers, Suffolk Republican chairman, said his party will consider several candidates, including Edward White of Copiague of the Independence Party who opposed Mystal last year.

While the GOP has no candidate yet, Withers said he is “optimistic” because Gregory, as Mystal’s aide, “knew full well where Mystal was living and covered it up.” Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, called Wither’s charge a “complete falsehood... Legislative aides don’t monitor where legislators sleep.” Schaffer added: “I don’t think Harry has any idea where his legislators are sleeping.”

Rick Brand

Nearly 400 from both major and minor parties showed up last week for a record-breaking Independence Party fundraiser that brought in a record $78,000.

The event, held at Venetian Shores catering complex in Babylon, exceeded the $60,000 raised by the minor party last year. Chairman Frank MacKay credited for the overflow turnout both new party vice chairmen -- Anthony Manetta and former Smithtown Conservative chairman Jimmy Tsunis, who's also finance director of the Independence Party of America.

Rick Brand

Below is ABC's Diana Williams interviewing MacKay last year:

Continue reading "Independence Party pulls in $78,000 at Babylon fete" »

Republican Will Barclay's bid for an upstate State Senate seat got an eleventh-hour boost as the Court of Appeals late Monday put him back on the Independence Party ballot line, on the eve of his special election against Democrat Darrel Aubertine.

The Court of Appeals ruling overturns two lower court decisions which had stricken Barclay's name from the minor party ballot in the neck-and-neck race on which Republican control of the state Senate might hang.

Republicans currently have a 32-29, edge, but if Democrats win, some say that one or more GOP lawmakers could switch sides.

UPDATE: The high court, in a 7-0 decision, found that "Aubertine is not an aggrieved candidate" because, as a non-party member, he lacks standing to challenge the party's compliance with its own rules.

Rick Brand

The Independence Party of America, looking to launch a third-party presidential candidacy, and whose national chairman is Suffolk resident Frank MacKay, announced leadership positions.

"We've made no secret of the fact that we hope that candidate will be Mike Bloomberg. We will be ready to support an Independent entering the race," MacKay said.

The appointments as announced:

Tom McLaughlin as party Vice Chairman. He's chairman of the Independence Party of America, an affiliate of The Reform Party of Pennsylvania. Also the former Vice Chairman of the Reform Party USA and "well-respected for his ballot access initiatives," MacKay said.

Tom Connolly, as national director for ballot access, who according to MacKay "helped build and expand the Independence Party of America to over 400,000 Party Members. He is also a founding member of the Independence Party of America and has over 30 years experience in the field of ballot access."

Anthony Manetta, director of political communications, from Roosevelt Strategies on Long Island, "will lead the national IPOA political operation with his local, state and federal campaign management experience."

Dan Janison

One of Suffolk’s top political consultants, Anthony Manetta, is hooking up with Frank MacKay’s Independence Party. Manetta, a Conservative, filed Wednesday to switch to Independence. Although that doesn’t take effect until a week after Election Day 2008, MacKay (photo above) has named Manetta a county party vice chairman. “It’s not something we would normally do, but it’s a sign of respect for someone with so much talent,” he said.

MacKay plans to deploy Manetta as a paid party fundraiser locally, at the state level, and for his newly created Independence Party of America — a platform from which New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg could run for president if he chose. Manetta proclaimed a chance to “work with a great political mind” in MacKay and join a “political movement that is spreading across the country.”

Manetta, head of Roosevelt Strategies, raised $80,000 for the Independence Party this year, which never before raised more than $25,000 annually — thus allowing MacKay to draw a $70,000-a-year salary. The consultant first hit it big....

Rick Brand

Continue reading "Top LI consultant joins Indies' national push (for Mike?)" »

Independent political strategist Dean Barkley has signed on to help advise the Independence Party of America, which makes no secret that it hopes to draft Mayor Michael Bloomberg into the presidential race.

The newly launched national party, headed by New York state Independence Party chairman Frank MacKay, has recently begun an effort to drum up national support for a third-party bid in next year's contest.

Full details here.

Rick Brand

State and Suffolk Independence Party chairman Frank MacKay will not be here for Election Day this year.

MacKay applied Tuesday at the Suffolk Board of Elections for an absentee ballot because he expects to be traveling the on a multi-state tour organizing his newly-formed Independence Party of America, which held its first national convention in Westchester last month. MacKay said the move is nothing new. He missed the local Election Day in 2000 while on party business in Buffalo -- even though his close ally, Thomas Whelan, was winning his first bid for state Supreme Court judge. This year, Whelan's wife Theresa is on the ballot for family court judge.

Rick Brand

Independence Party activist Alex Gregor, who won the party's primary for Southampton town supervisor, is also taking on a new role as chairman of the town's party organization.

Gregor defeated Republican Supervisor Patrick "Skip" Heaney in the minor-party primary last month even though Heaney was given authorization by the party leaders to run on the line.
Frank MacKay, the state and Suffolk Independence Party chairman, said Gregor showed his organizing skills and work ethic in the primary which will help build the party.

Rick Brand