Liz Benjamin picks up an editorial from Outlook Long Island, which talks about Brian Foley's refusal to answer questions on marriage equality.

The fact is, it isn't enough to have 32 Democrats in the state Senate. If too many of them are against decent, progressive values, then we won't get the changes we need. Brian Foley is one of those who will get in the way of progress and change.

From a press release from Jimmy Dahroug:

"Brian Foley's bid for the State Senate is not helpful to the voters in Brookhaven who supported him for supervisor. Brookhaven is in a state of crisis and our supervisor should not abandon us for another office only months into his term."
-Barry McCoy
Democratic State Committeeman
Brookhaven District Leader, Council 1

"As a Democratic foot soldier in Brookhaven, I urge Brian Foley to stay in Brookhaven and finish the job he started. We can win back the council majority and continue the fight for good government -- but only if Brian stays completely focused on his job in Brookhaven. We need him now more than ever."
-Jerry Gasowski,
Brookhaven Democratic Committee Member

"I supported Brian Foley in his bid to become Brookhaven Supervisor and I believe he should stay right here and finish the job he started."
-William Maddock
Brookhaven Democratic Committee Member

The statements above are from Democratic Committee members who believe Supervisor Brian Foley should end his last-minute bid for the state Senate and focus on the urgent needs of Brookhaven Town.

Despite receiving the endorsement from Democracy for America, Jimmy Dahroug still doesn't seem to resonate with the state's Democratic Party leaders.

We've been through this before. A couple of months ago, a NY Times article listed Republican-turned-Democrat Christopher Bodkin as Caesar Trunzo's main Democratic opponent, and didn't even mention Dahroug. After seemingly solving that potential fiasco, it appears the state Dems are at it again. This time, they're back to looking at Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley.

Why? The answer is the usual answer to that question: Money. Foley has a lot in reserve, while Dahroug, despite raising a lot more than he ever has before, is still lagging behind Trunzo.

Of course, if the so-called "leaders" would stop looking like idiots and

It appears that there is far more to this story than meets the eye. The following is cobbled together from several sources, all of whom are highly placed enough (for the information they have given me) and well enough known to me that I am convinced of their authenticity, but all of whom have requested anonymity for one reason or another:

Apparently, the state Democratic Party is not behind Republican-turned-Democrat Christopher Bodkin’s recent conversion, nor are they behind his appearance on the scene as a possible opponent to Caesar Trunzo. It may also be true (although I cannot get specific information on this) that the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) wasn’t directly involved either, at least at first. According to my sources, the catalyst is even higher.

Congressman Steve Israel represents the 2nd Congressional District, which includes much of that state Senate district. Congressman Steve Israel also raises a lot of money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC, a.k.a. “D-triple-C). As a result, to a large extent, whatever Congressman Steve Israel wants, Congressman Steve Israel gets.

What does this mean? Read on...

There is an article in today's NY Times talking about aging Republican state Senators. One such person is Caesar Trunzo, and they bring up a "Democratic" challenger (quotation marks mine, and with good reason) -- Christopher Bodkin!

Bodkin is a 15-year member of the Islip Town Board, and was, until very recently, a Republican. As of January 11, he has not created a campaign committee.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Dahroug was interviewed for the article, but all references to him magically disappeared. The only explanation I've been able to find is that the state senate committee is trying to make an "unperson" out of Jimmy.

Well it won't happen!

Jimmy has fought too long and too hard to just fade away. He has real community support, real fundraising support, and real grass roots support.