This one really ticks me off! Bear with me as I bring you another quick post tonight related to the race for New York State’s 44th District Senate seat. I came across the video below on the Times Union‘s Capitol Confidential blog. I encourage you to take a look at the blog post. You can either watch the video there or below.
“I became a senator….” WHAT?
Tell all the physicists that time travel has become real. No need for fortune tellers or political pundits. The election’s a done deal. Susan Savage and her “classmates” have been elected. What’s more, they’ve solved all our problems. Tell everybody leaving New York that they can come back. Woo-hoo!
I’ve got a brilliant idea Ms. Savage. How about we hold an election first?
Ugh. Between Farley and Savage, this election’s gonna be a nightmare for my blood pressure.
Those of us in New York’s 44th Senate District might actually have a decision to make in this year’s election. Republican Sen. Hugh Farley is running (of course) for reelection. Democrat Susan Savage, the current chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, just announced her intention to challenge Farley for the seat.
Her announcement was a disappointment to me. Here’s why:
Savage is painting herself as the anti-incumbent candidate. Lauren Stanforth describes it in her blog post on timesunion.com. Stanforth wrote, “Like so many other campaigns this season, Savage is running on behalf of the anti-incumbency movement.” That may be technically true. Farley is the true incumbent. However, Savage is no newcomer to politics. I believe that she spent the last 12 years in the county legislature. Sorry Ms. Savage, in my view you have been in politics too long to call yourself an anti-incumbent. I hereby revoke your “ordinary citizen” status. (At least on this blog.)
Furthermore, Savage proposed legislation that really grates on me. Just drive to any chain fast food restaurant in Schenectady County and you may notice the calorie counts listed on the menus. For that, we can thank Susan Savage. Yes, I know that a Big Mac has about a bazillion calories. No calorie count required. And yes, the legislation does not hurt me, but I have serious concerns about it leading to more intrusive government. It’s bad enough to have such legislation in the county. I fear it even more at the state level.
That must mean that I will support Farley. After all, I am a registered Republican. Nope, not so. I am less than thrilled with Farley. Here’s why:
I am not happy with the Republicans in the New York State Senate. About a year ago, they decided to cozy up to two Democrat defectors (Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr.) in an effort to gain control of the Senate. They could not have picked two slimier politicians. I know that politics leads to some strange alliances, but at some point you have to step up and say, “No. I will not work with people who make pond scum look good, just to gain power for my party.” You can call it naivete. I call it ethics. I don’t recall seeing either Sen. Farley, or any other Senate Republican, questioning the ethics of last summer’s coup.
Sen. Farley was elected when I was two years old. He’s served for the last 34 years. That is far, (or should I say “Farley”), too long!
What’s more is that both of these candidates come from what I’ll describe as mini political dynasties. According to this TU article, Savage’s father and grandfather were both politicians. Additionally, Farley’s son is a Schenectady County Legislator. Interestingly, Farley’s Wikipedia page, (which I always take with a grain of salt), says, “His son Robert, hopes to replace him in the Senate one day.” Really? Couldn’t Schenectady County attract a Kennedy, a Clinton, or a Bush… you know, a real political dynasty?
Both Farley and Savage are probably very likable people. I’ve got no personal axe to grind with either candidate. Still, I believe they are both wrong for the State Senate. So what will I do in November? I haven’t decided. In the past, I would have voted for the less disagreeable candidate. Today, I recognize that my best vote might be no vote in this particular race. Mickey Mouse is looking more appealing every day, but he is probably a resident of Florida or California. Where is a citizen legislator when you need one?
Posted by Wade Abbott 
