On September 27, New York State Senator Roy McDonald said that he will not ask voters to re-elect him in November, even though he is on the November ballot as the Independence Party nominee. He had been defeated in the Republican primary held on September 13. Governor Andrew Cuomo had told McDonald that if McDonald wanted to campaign to keep his seat as the Independence Party nominee, then the Governor would endorse him, campaign for him, and help him raise money. See this story about Cuomo’s offer, which the Senator has now declined.
McDonald lost the Republican primary because he had voted in favor of same-sex marriage. The Governor appreciated that vote and was thus willing to supercede his normal tendency to support Democratic nominees for state legislative races.
But he’s still on the ballot as the Independence Nominee regardless right? Is there a Democrat running as well?
Yes, this is a 3-way race in November, as far as the ballots are concerned. A Republican nominee, a Democratic nominee, and an Independence Party nominee. The Conservative Party cross-endorsed the Republican and the Working Families Party cross-endorsed the Dem.
Another twist to this story.
The state Independence Party Executive Committee has taken away the power of the Columbia County Independence Party Committee and its chairman John Miller to endorse local candidates. The move followed the county party’s May endorsement of Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione in her Republican primary race against state Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, for the 43rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbia County. The district also encompasses parts of Saratoga, Rensselaer and Washington counties. The state’s executive committee is supporting McDonald in the Sept. 13 primary. The decision will limit the ability of Columbia County’s committee to endorse local candidates in future races.
sounds like 1996 all over again — Dutchess and Columbia Counties home rule of unconstituted counties screwed by the IPNY SEC.
Also, unfortunately Saland squeeked by the GOP primary challenge and he will be on the IPNY ballot line as well.
I would like to congratulate New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for being that rare breed in American politics: the man of integrity. State Senator Roy McDonald stood with Governor Cuomo for same-sex marriage and Governor Cuomo was prepared to do the right thing and stand with State Senator McDonald. God bless you, Governor Cuomo!
#3 Continued – Mr. McDonald’s decision to leave the race improves the chances that Republicans will be able to maintain their narrow majority in the Senate. Republican officials had worried that a third-party bid by Mr. McDonald could split the Republican vote and improve Ms. Andrews’s, the Democrat, odds at an upset victory, a factor to which Mr. McDonald alluded in explaining his decision. His decision also spared the Senate majority leader, Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island Republican, from having to pick a side between the two Republicans running for the same seat.
Thanks to Sen. McDonald and the other three Republican Senators (two were re-elected; one retired) for helping to make marriage equality a reality in New York.