Last night was the Brooklyn New Democratic Majority meeting. These meetings, which are co-hosted by Michael Bouldin, election protection advocate Marjorie Gersten, and myself, often leave me a bit disappointed because we often have a small turnout. But they also leave me excited because those who do show are very active and are good souruces of info for what is going on inside campaigns.

To give you an idea of the dedication, among those who came last night (and who are die-hard regulars), one person had vertigo, one person's mother went to the hospital earlier that day, and one person had suffered a fall earlier in the week...while on her way to help the Harrison campaign. And they all came...tired and sore, but they came.

Mostly we all just talked amongst ourselves, largely because most of us see eachother all the time and are already involved. The few newcomers did get some info on various events and resources around the city. Even introduced a couple of them to Daily Gotham!

One thing I got from the meeting was a sense of how things are feeling within two local Congressional campaigns: those of John Hall (NY-19) and Steve Harrison (NY-13).

Important developments in the race to face 19th CD incumbent Sue Kelly over the last week showed lots of added steam to the campaign of folk-rock performer John Hall and some to another of his Democratic Party Rivals.

John Hall was endorsed by Jim Martorano, the Yorktown democrat who dropped out of the race four weeks ago. Jim M’s supporters in Westchester and Yorktown may give Hall an assist there. Democracy for Westchester also endorsed Hall. Most importantly, the New York State United Teachers which represents public school teachers in the district endorsed hall today. If the teachers and hospital workers really put effort into their Hall endorsements, that will multiply his already extensive resources. Finally -- folk and rock performers who support Hall will participate in a NYC Town Hall fundraising Concert on August 20, 2006. Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Steve Earle and Nanci Griffith (See the Events Notice, for more details).

Judy Aydelott, who has had the lead in fundraising among the Democrats, has been hosting free community dinners around the District in which voter dissatisfaction with Sue Kelly has been the subject of discussion. Aydellot, an attorney and Iraq war opponent was formerly a Republican.

Update on Petitions and Endorsements in the 19th CD race to replace Sue Kelly.

1) Judy Aydelott has been endorsed by the National Women’s Political Caucus and by Emily’s List.

Her campaign stated that it filed petitions containing 3,554 signatures and that the Hall campaign had filed a “general” challenge to her petitions.

2) John Hall was endorsed by the County Democratic Committees of Orange, Duchess and Rockland counties; The American Federation of Musicians and its Local 802 (orchestra, theatre, club and studio musicians); Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (skilled electricians); United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500 (supermarket and grocery store employees); and the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 1. (stage hands etc.) in addition to SEIU 1199

His campaign said it filed more than 4200 signatures on designating petitions.

3) Darren Rigger’s campaign stated that it filed 1,871 signatures and that it expected a “general" challenge to its petitions as well.

4) Ben Schuldiner’s campaign stated it had been endorsed by Vassar College Democrats (a 500-member group) and that the campaign had filed petitions containing more than 2,800 signatures.

The 2nd quarter fundraising reports for candidates has just been released. As part of a coordinated look at NY state seats in play (for list of other blogs, see the end of this post), this report concerns the effort to retire Sue Kelly, the Republican House member from the 19th Congressional District (Northern Westchester, Putnam, Duchess, Orange and Rockland counties) See Map:

http://www.judy4congress.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=vie...

Kelly a key Bush ally and long time partisan of the War in Iraq, has voting record rated at 13% for a Grade of F from the Drum Major Institute http://www.drummajorinstitute.com/congress/outerenvelope_house.htm and for votes for the “USA Patriot Act and others, her opposition to civil liberties has earned her a life-time score of 21% from the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Freedom Scorecard http://action.aclu.org/site/VoteCenter?page=voteList .

Kelly won re-election in 2004 easily, even though New Yorkers voted for Kerry:

U.S. House -- New York District 19
Updated 11/24/04 1:59 AM ET
Precincts:100% Incumbent* declared winner

Candidates Votes %

Sue W. Kelly * (R)
164,356 67

Way cool.

Brian Keeler is running for a state senate seat in an obscure upstate New York district. Why should anyone, outside of that district, care?

Glad you asked. People who have been reading Daily Kos and Firedoglake for awhile probably recognize the screen name NYBri as belonging to a well-spoken, forthright, engaging progressive, bursting with positive energy, enthusiasm, great spirit and abundant intelligence. That would be Brian Keeler and Brian is challenging a severely reactionary, entrenched Republican in New York's 41st senatorial district, basically all of Columbia County and most of Dutchess County. The last time Dutchess County elected a Democrat as state senator was 1910. That freshman state legislator, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, did well in Albany-- and... well, helped save America and the rest of the world.

The New York State Senate has been in GOP hands since the mid-1960's. Over the last decade it has allowed Governor Pataki to institute reactionary tax policies-- progressive income tax displaced by a virtual flat tax for the wealthy so that someone earning $40,000 a year and someone earning $40 million a year pay the same exact rate-- and other harebrained schemes that have severely hurt the middle and working class. Pataki is about to be replaced by a strong, unabashed, truly liberal governor, Eliot Spitzer, at which point New York should become what Brian calls "a shining beacon for progressive government and an example for the rest of the country."

In case you were wondering, Brian's web site is here, and you can contribute here. He also just got endorsed by Eliot, which should be of some assistance, considering the latter has approval ratings normally reserved for civilizational advances like hot and cold running water.

A progressive Democrat is running for the State Senate in a traditionally Republican area. Brian Keeler, a Daily Kos blogger (NYBri) is running in NY's 41st District, an east of the Hudson district which includes Columbia and Duchess County voters.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/26/9036/13742

Is this the year that a progressive program can win? It feels like it to me. Yesterday's NY Times, you may recall, included an article suggesting Democrats were disarray on State Senate candidates. As I read it, it appeared based on demoralized party insiders. What can grass and net roots do here?

Congratulations to Hudson Valley Democrats. Those of us who want Joe Bruno to experience the joys of minority leadership may want to help Keeler out. Brian Keeler's campaign web site and blog: http://www.keeler2006.com/

[Update]: Way to go Daniel! Keeler is front-paged on Daily Kos, here. Seriously, New Yorkers, show the man some love, right here.