In deep fiscal trouble, Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy "Wonder Boy" Zellner, is openly talking with former County Executive Joel Giambra about ways to betray Democrats. http://blogs.buffalonews.com/politics_now/2014/02/giambra-floats-democratic-backing-for-republican-grisanti.html?ref=bmh It seems that incumbent Republican Senator Mark Grisanti is in trouble with his party base and fears a Primary Election defeat by fellow Republican Kevin Stocker in the 60th Senate District. The 60th includes Grand Island, the Tonawandas, parts of Buffalo, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Evans and Brant. http://www.nysenate.gov/district/60 Like Giambra, Grisanti is a former Democrat who opportunistically swapped parties to narrowly beat former Democratic Senator Antoine Thompson in 2010. Giambra has been widely touted for his political skill in running the campaign that beat Thompson in an impossible race, but Grisanti's votes for gay marriage, the SAFE Act and close ties to Governor Cuomo have angered his Republican base. The 60th is heavily Democratic, by a ratio of almost two to one, but defeat in the Republican Primary could leave Grisanti without a major party line. Grisanti could have switched back to the Democratic Party last October, but it's too late now, and Republicans can't run in a Democratic Primary without an authorization (Wilson-Pakula) from the party. ECDC rules place the power to authorize Senate candidates in the hands of the Zellner controlled Executive Committee. Such an authorization is essentially an endorsement. If Zellner authorizes Republican Grisanti, there will be a huge Democratic blow back. A Primary battle from a real Democrat, such as North Buffalo Councilmember Joe Golombek, is sure to follow. Why would Wonder Boy authorize? He's broke and he needs cash to keep the party afloat. Lobbyist Giambra can raise lots of money to buy an authorization for his pal, and he has already contributed $1000 to Zellner as a New Years present. This will be fun to watch.
Giambra Grisanti
Meanwhile, the filling of the vacancy in the Third County Legislative District is being dragged out in a suspicious manner. The vacancy arose when Lynn Marinelli quit for a Cuomo job after serving a full 15 days of her term.
(Q: Who saw that coming? A: Everyone.) A no vote beauty pageant meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night in North Buffalo.
(Q: Who saw that coming? A: Everyone.) A no vote beauty pageant meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night in North Buffalo.
Unlike a State Senate endorsement, the rules of the ECDC place the power to endorse candidates for the county legislature with the committeemen of the legislative district. Given this obvious foot dragging in holding the committeeman vote, it's clear that Wonder Boy doesn't have the votes to endorse his pick (Jennifer Diagostino) and Buffalo Corporation Counsel attorney, Peter Savage, appears to be the favorite of the committee. In the time honored tradition of the Lenihan/Zellner "reform" movement, Wonder Boy is likely to ignore the rules, usurp the power of the district committeemen, and choose to endorse from his puppet Executive Committee. In any event, the party endorsement is merely advisory and the vacancy will be filled by three of the four remaining Democratic County Legislators (Grant, Loughran, Miller-Williams and Burke). Grant and Miller-Williams will never vote for the same person. Loughran is roughly aligned with Grant, and Burke supported Grant for minority leader in exchange for a staff position. But should Burke side with Grant and Loughran, he runs the risk of being an instant minority of the legislature Democratic minority. This third vote is important, as it will determine the replacement for the Democratic Elections Commissioner, Dennis Ward, when he runs for Supreme Court Judge later this year. If Zellner can get a third vote in the Democratic minority of the legislature, he can have them name him Elections Commissioner, a $100,000+ plum part time job. That would be a real life saver, as his unemployment insurance may have run out by then. There is a real possibility that no one will get three votes and the legislature seat will remain vacant at least until the Primary Election. Not much harm in that, as legislators really don't do much except approve the county budget at the end of the year.
Rules? We ain't got no Rules. We don't need no Rules! We don't have to show you any stinkin' Rules!
Rules? We ain't got no Rules. We don't need no Rules! We don't have to show you any stinkin' Rules!
| ecdc_rules_12-09-29.pdf |
