Oliver Koppell set to challenge NYS Sen. Jeffrey Klein in primary

[hrmjustin]

KEN LOVETT

Former state Attorney General Oliver Koppell is set Monday to announce a primary challenge against state Senate co-Leader Jeffrey Klein in the Bronx, sources say.

Koppell , a former Bronx city councilman, has attacked Klein, who heads a breakaway group of five Democrats who control the Senate with the Republicans, of betraying the Democratic party. (H/T to Chris Bragg for blowing up my Monday column).

Koppell couldn't be reached for comment. He told the Daily News last Friday that he was strongly leaning toward running.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/oliver-koppell-set-challenge-nys-sen-jeffrey-klein-primary-blog-entry-1.1777249#ixzz30ag8cw7N

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. I heard him speak about a week ago and it was pretty obvious that he was getting in.

At a local community group that voted to endorse him by about 11-2.

Klein's getting the DEM establishment backing.... the elected DEMs are forming a united front, despite the fact that Klein is almost single-handedly keeping the GOP in control of the senate.

The ways of the DEM party in NYS are mysterious indeed.

You'd have to impanel a corruption commission to figure out why but...........oh, ehr... never mind.

[hrmjustin]

2. Do you think he could beat Klein?

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Hard to say. Look at this gerrymandered district:

http://www.nysenate.gov/district/34

"An octopus standing on a ladder screwing in a light bulb."

Seems set-up to favor a candidate who is both white and conservative. Connects mostly white, largely Jewish Riverdale with mostly white, traditionally Italian Throggs Neck/Pelham Bay.

In doing so it reaches around huge predominately non-white districts like Yonkers, Mt Vernon, Co-op City and most of the NE Bronx.

Apparently, this is how they spend their time in Albany. Dreaming up shit like this when they are not doing stuff that we need a Moreland Commission to investigate.


Long story short.... Koppell could win the primary depending on Riverdale ( home base for both of them) turnout , which is usually heavy. My guess is that GOP will cross endorse Klein and if they do that Klein will win the general election as a republican.

Now... there may be up and coming GOPers who see this as a chance to break into the majors..... so there are a few uncontrolled variables. Koppell should win the general against a GOPer if Klein stays out of it. I doubt that Klein will stay out of it, though.

Klein's got more $$$ ( naturally) but Koppell is well off financially and is liable to spend a chunk of his own cash.

[hrmjustin]

5. That sucks.

I do ghink the dems should try in the end to get rid of him.

[hrmjustin]

3. Reports: Koppell will announce on Monday

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/211824/reports-koppell-will-announce-on-monday/

[hrmjustin]

6. Jeff Klein Isn’t Sure Senate Democrats Are Trying to Oust Him

http://observer.com/2014/05/jeff-klein-isnt-sure-senate-democrats-are-trying-to-oust-him/

[hrmjustin]

7. Klein Nabs DC9 Endorsement

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/05/klein-nabs-dc9-endorsement/