RandySF
RandySF's JournalIN: Election candidates could beat record for most women on City Council, flip BLUE
Fort Wayne voters face a “high stake” election this fall, the director of a local non-partisan political center says.
“The possibility of how this comes out is extraordinary as far as the representation here and the gender balance,” said Mike Wolf, acting director of Purdue Fort Wayne’s Mike Downs Center for Politics.
In Fort Wayne’s history, the greatest number of women on the City Council in the same term is two, and Democrats have not held a party majority since 1995. The council’s composition could change since the Nov. 7 election ballot includes seven women on the Democratic ticket.
And if four women are successful, it could flip the party majority to Democratic for the first time in more than 25 years.
Three women are running for at large council seats – Michelle Chambers, Stephanie Crandall and Audrey Davis. Also on the ballot are Jennifer Matthias, 1st; Melissa Rinehart, 2nd; Patti Hays, 4th; and Sharon Tucker, 6th.
https://www.journalgazette.net/elections/election-candidates-could-beat-record-for-most-women-on-city-council-flip-party-majority/article_c514f25e-5d82-11ee-8d87-3f5cd146d47d.html
Brooklyn City Council members battle over illegal donation allegation in New York City's most compet
A war of words between two Brooklyn elected officials fighting for the same City Council seat escalated this week, with one accusing the other of soliciting illegal donations in an attempt to save a “floundering” campaign.
Democratic Council Member Justin Brannan and Republican Council Member Ari Kagan are in the fight of their political lives to represent the purple Council District 47, which covers southern Brooklyn, in the Nov. 7 general election, and have been exchanging barbs since the seat was reshaped and consolidated through redistricting.
Brannan, who called Kagan “desperate,” blasted his rival for allegedly seeking donations above the legal limit via emails sent by U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis’ (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) campaign. Kagan then fired back, saying that Brannan is drawing attention to a minor error and alleged that it demonstrates his opponent “doesn’t care about what’s going on on the ground.”
The email, a copy of which was shared with amNewYork Metro, was sent by Malliotakis’ campaign and advertises a “Fundraiser in support of Republican Ari Kagan for City Council” that was held Sunday at Delia’s Lounge in Bay Ridge. It was put together by Kagan’s campaign, despite having Malliotakis’ name on it, both campaigns said.
https://www.amny.com/politics/brooklyn-city-council-election-illegal-donation/
After losing primary race, George Grasso back on campaign trail in third-party bid for Queens DA
The Breezy Point Republican who nearly shocked the Queens Democratic establishment in 2022, threw his support behind a third-party candidate for Queens District Attorney.
Thomas Sullivan, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, who came within 15 votes of upsetting incumbent Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, eschewed the GOP candidate Michael Mossa of Howard Beach and endorsed retired Judge George Grasso in his bid to unseat Queens DA Melinda Katz in the Nov. 7 general election.
“Our public safety crisis has now become a public health crisis. Our current politicians are responsible for a man-made crime wave. To undo this and bring our city back from the brink, we need someone with unparalleled qualifications and experience,” Sullivan said. “Judge Grasso is the person Queens needs in this critical time. We must look past traditional party lines and elect a strong independent candidate with a proven track record who can get the job done.”
Sullivan has already filed to make another run for Pheffer Amato’s seat next year.
https://qns.com/2023/09/queens-district-attorney-grasso-campaign-third-party-bid/
David Calone (D) for Suffolk County, NY Executive
Dave Calone was born and raised in Suffolk County. His mom is a retired public school teacher and his dad a retired engineer. Because of their hard work, the support of his teachers in the Mt. Sinai and Port Jefferson school districts, and the help of his community, Dave received a great education that enabled his career in both law and business.
After studying economics in college, followed by law school, Dave started his career as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice. He prosecuted corporate fraud by companies in the oil and gas industry and by companies targeting military families. Dave also helped prosecute an al-Qaeda terrorist for his role in the 9/11 attacks. Later, Dave became a New York State Special Assistant Attorney General, where he helped negotiate what was—at the time—the largest health care fraud recovery for taxpayers in the state’s history.
For the past 16 years, Dave has pursued innovation and entrepreneurship by working to start and build companies throughout the country, including right here on Long Island. One of the companies that he co-founded has expanded health care access and affordability, while being recognized four times by Inc. Magazine as among the fastest growing companies in the United States. Dave initiated the Long Island Emerging Technologies Fund to help launch ten job-creating companies based on technology developed by Long Island’s research laboratories.
Dave is especially committed to providing opportunities for veterans and active duty service members to start their own companies, serving as the Founding National Board Chair of Patriot Boot Camp (now part of DAV—Disabled American Veterans), which has provided entrepreneurship training to over 1000 veterans. Dave continues his leadership in this area as Co-chair of DAV’s National Veterans Entrepreneurship Council.
Dave applied this same entrepreneurial spirit to helping Suffolk County work better for its residents. He was appointed by the last two County Executives to serve as Chair of the Suffolk County Planning Commission for a total of eight years. During that time, he worked with civic associations, environmental groups, developers, and elected officials of both parties to focus the Planning Commission on eliminating red tape and promoting regional economic development, environmental sustainability, housing diversity, transportation innovations, and public safety.
Dave created the LI Unified Solar Permit Initiative, cutting bureaucracy and promoting renewable energy. The program resulted in Suffolk County winning a prestigious National Association of Counties Achievement Award. His “Farmers for the Future” idea enabled new Suffolk County farmers to buy the equipment they need and led to significant funding flowing to East End farmers from New York State.
Through his work quarterbacking Suffolk County’s first Comprehensive Plan in over 40 years and serving as Chair of Suffolk County’s Superstorm Sandy Review Task Force, Dave has been a leader in helping Suffolk County prepare for the future, including facing the dangers of climate change. And as a longtime board member of both the United Way of Long Island and the Community Development Corporation, Dave is committed to initiatives that address inequities in health, housing, and economic opportunity.
Dave Calone is a proven problem solver, leader and innovator in both the private and public sectors. He’s also a husband and dad to three kids, so he has a very personal stake in strengthening the future of Suffolk County for the next generation.
https://caloneforsuffolk.com
NJ-SEN: Sherrill says no to U.S. Senate bid
ep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) is making it clear that she won’t challenge Bob Menendez, something some of her friends have been saying all week.
“I’m not planning to run for the U.S. Senate,” Sherrill told the New Jersey Globe on Friday.
Her statement about next year’s Senate race will only fuel speculation that she plans to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, although the North Jersey congresswoman has not publicly said she is running. Sherrill is widely expected to seek a fourth term in Congress in 2024, pushing a formal announcement in the gubernatorial race off until at least November of next year.
A key Sherrill supporter, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr., today praised First Lady Tammy Murphy, saying she’d be a “great candidate” if she decides to run for U.S. Senate.
Menendez was indicted one week ago on federal bribery charges. He has rebuffed calls for his resignation and insists he’ll seek re-election next year.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/sherrill-says-no-to-u-s-senate-bid/
Brooklyn Republican Party boss to step aside after tough primary season
Following a bruising primary season, the head of the Brooklyn Republican Party is stepping down with just weeks to go until this fall’s high-stakes City Council elections, the Daily News has learned.
Ted Ghorra, who has served as the Brooklyn GOP’s chairman since 2016, confirmed late Thursday that he plans to vacate his post.
He did not say when his last day will be or offer a reason for his exit, but a Brooklyn GOP source told The News that Ghorra is expected to formally step aside after the party’s reorganization meeting on Oct. 6. In a statement, Ghorra said he expects his executive director, Richard Barsamian, to succeed him as chair.
“I have decided that the time is right to pass the torch,” said Ghorra, whose tenure as chair has included expanding the Brooklyn GOP ranks to include eight elected officials, the most since 1974.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/09/28/brooklyn-republican-party-boss-to-step-aside-after-tough-primary-season/
Strike averted: Local 634 reaches tentative agreement with School District of Philadelphia
A potential strike of 1,900 school district employees seems to have been avoided as leaders of Unite Here Local 634 reached a tentative four-year agreement with the School District of Philadelphia Thursday night.
Unite Here Local 634, the union representing cafeteria workers and climate and safety staff within the School District of Philadelphia, announced that its executive board reached a tentative contract agreement with district leaders Thursday night, just hours before the current contract was set to expire. The union’s members previously authorized the union to call a strike, making the Sept. 30 deadline even more significant if the district were to avoid possible disruptions in the school system.
“We are the heart of Philly schools. We are the people that keep our kids fed and safe. And tonight, I am proud to say that we have reached new heights,” Nicole Hunt, Unite Here Local 634 president, said in a statement.
The tentative contract agreement meets many of the members’ demands, including increased wages and benefit packages. The contract details include an immediate raise for all employees, a 29.7% wage increase for lowest-paid employees over the four-year period, an increase of $1,133 in health and welfare benefits for all climate staff, a 40% increase in legal services fund benefits, working walkie-talkies for climate staff to improve communication and guaranteed training on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
“This contract honors the tireless, essential work that each and every School District of Philadelphia Food Service and Student Climate Staff employee does day in and day out,” Hunt said. “It provides historic wage increases. It provides dramatically improved legal and health benefits. It provides necessary training, more personal days and basic resources that will allow our employees to further support our young people. But, above all, it provides dignity – and that is what we deserve.”
https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2023/09/strike-averted-local-634-reaches-tentative-agreement-school-district-philadelphia/390781/
PA: Cent. Bucks School Dist. Voters Can Choose Compassion, Common Sense Over Extremism This Election
My family and I have lived in Bucks County for over 13 years. One of the main reasons we moved here was because of the excellent reputation of CBSD schools. We have not been disappointed!
Of course there were minor issues that arose periodically, but until the pandemic, our experiences at Central Bucks were largely positive. My kids benefited from warm nurturing school environments, wonderful teachers, and buses we could count on to bring them to and from school. When my kids left in the morning, I felt confident that they were going to a good place, a place that supported both their mental health and their academic success.
But, something changed during the pandemic. Something even more fundamental than the learning loss and mental health issues that the entire world faced. The very character of Central Bucks shifted when the leadership changed in 2021. Today in CBSD, the schools feel cold and sterile, many of the best teachers are leaving, and buses often don’t even arrive to pick up our students in the morning.
It couldn’t simply be an issue of partisan politics because, at least during the 13 years that we’ve lived here, Central Bucks School Board has always had a Republican majority and consistently maintained an excellent reputation.
So, what changed? Why are we suddenly making national news for the chaos and dysfunction of our Board leadership? Why are we wasting millions of dollars on expensive lawyers and exorbitant superintendent raises? Why are we being investigated by the Federal Department of Education for discrimination?
https://buckscountybeacon.com/2023/09/central-bucks-school-district-voters-can-choose-compassion-and-common-sense-over-extremism-this-election/
In a world of partisan fighting on election security, this board tackles Pennsylvania issues without
ust days after Gov. Josh Shapiro independently enacted automatic voter registration for people getting a driver’s license, a government research group designed to improve voting in Pennsylvania tackled that and other issues with a mind on solutions, not divisions.
The bipartisan board of lawmakers, election officials, and researchers recommends ways to make elections more fair, secure, and accessible. The board was created in 2020 to review and suggest changes to election laws, assess new election technology, and work with other agencies on election-related matters. Their findings are published annually on the Joint State Government Commission’s website.
Shapiro’s move – its legality and implications – was among the agenda items before the board. .
Members of the Election Law Advisory Board also debated:
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Changing the 2024 primary date from May to March to avoid Passover
Opening primaries to unaffiliated voters
Increasing the distance campaign workers must stay from polling places on Election Day
https://www.witf.org/2023/09/28/in-a-world-of-partisan-fighting-on-election-security-this-board-tackles-pennsylvania-issues-without-division/
PA: Allegheny County Executive Candidates Innamorato (D), Rockey (R) Debate
The candidates for Allegheny County Executive – Democrat Sara Innamorato and Republican Joe Rockey – met on the debate stage for an hour last night.
The debate was aired on KDKA and can be seen below.
https://www.politicspa.com/watch-allegheny-county-executive-candidates-innamorato-rockey-debate/125971/
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