As many have already read, rural America seems to breaking for the Democratic Party, and the stars are aligning in ways that should make many Upstate New York Republican incumbents very nervous. From the Center for Rural Strategies:

The poll of rural voters in 41 contested congressional districts found that likely voters preferred Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives by a margin of 13 points, 52 percent to 39 percent. In mid-September, the same population of voters was evenly split between the two parties at 45 percent each.

The New York Republican Party is desperate for excuses and is floundering about like a fish out of water. Prior to Foley-gate, the NYGOP was already in disarray and lacking in any credible candidate for the top-tier races, and they have had to settle on John Faso, John Spencer, Jeanine Pirro, and Christopher Callaghan for the state-wide offices. This is not the most inspiring slate of candidates for New York Republicans.

More below...

...he's just not enough of a self-promoter, at least online.

There was a time, when I thought political activism meant watching TV news and going out to vote every four years. I also once thought that political activism meant reading news sites and blogs and being well informed. I now have a much more refined definition and understand that there are multiple layers of political activism. For me, it now means running for elected office and becoming a voice from within the system in order to change the system. The system is broken, and it has fallen upon us to put aside our day to day differences and to fix it. The alternative is simply too ghastly to imagine.

August 16, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Keck Gains Spitzer and AFL-CIO Endorsements for Assembly Race in 107th District

Kelly Keck, who is challenging Republican incumbent Clifford Crouch of Guilford to represent the 107th Assembly District, recently gained the endorsement of Attorney General and gubernatorial race front-runner Eliot Spitzer. The grassroots campaign, which will see Keck listed on the Democratic Party and Working Families Party lines on the ballot in November, has already gained support from county Democratic committees throughout the 107th district as well as Congressman Maurice Hinchey and unions including the New York State AFL-CIO. Keck is one of just a handful of state level challengers to receive the large union's endorsement.

more after the jump...

I have garnered a steady stream of endorsements lately, most recently from U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey. Here is what Mr. Hinchey has to say:

"It is refreshing to see a man like Kelly Keck stepping up to serve the residents of New York's 107th Assembly District.  His passion for reform, coupled with his genuine honesty, makes him a strong candidate for public office.  Trained as an educator, he is committed to making sure his constituents are informed and equipped with the tools necessary to raise their voices on issues they hold most dear.  His vision of a transparent government that is accountable to the people and not beholden to corporate giants is just what every New Yorker deserves."

My heart goes out to all those affected by the damaging floods that have been occurring across the Upstate region and  within the 107th State Assembly District. The damage that can be seen from photos and news coverage cannot come close to the actual devastation, and I hope to be touring the affected areas in southern Delaware County as soon as practicable.

I would like to ask all Upstate representatives to call upon the Governor to request that President Bush declare a federal disaster in the affected areas. We must also be mindful that the federal government  not repeat the New Orleans tragedy during this response.

I find it quite admirable that the State Senate Republicans have called for hearings to investigate the NYRI project. It was also very courteous of them to invite Assemblyman Clifford Crouch of Guilford to the hearings, since the State Assembly has so far not called for its own hearings.

This gives the affected counties and their citizens an opportunity to express their opinions and concerns against the proposed power lines. I lack confidence, though, in the senators' and the assemblyman's ability to fully fight this project considering that they have received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the same energy companies pushing for the transmission line project.

Keck Gains Working Families Party Endorsement in Assembly Race - 107th District

Contact:  Kelly Keck
Phone: 607-652-9137
Email: kelly@keckforassembly.com

Kelly Keck, who is challenging Republican incumbent Clifford Crouch of Guilford to represent the 107th District in the NYS Assembly gained the endorsement of the Working Families Party this week.

Keck explained the significance of the latest endorsement, "Clean elections is one of the major planks in my platform. Without fair campaigns, the odds in favor of true reform in Albany are not good. The Working Families Party has been working diligently for many years to implement clean election reforms, so I am pleased to have the support of a party led by like-minded folks."

Reform is such a basic concept, but yet often seems so unattainable, when one looks at the totality of reform needed in Albany. Most in New York State know that our state government is not only broken, but is considered to be the most dysfunctional state government in the nation. The Empire State has been the birthplace of many great reformers including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and the time as come for our state to capitalize on this heritage and make real reform both our present and future. And we can start with public authority reform, which will rein in the corruption of the shadow government in New York State.

More below...

Stamford Fundraiser for County Treasurer Candidate
Draws US Congress Candidate - Oct. 7

A fundraiser at The Gallery in Stamford will draw on
live music and guest speakers including a candidate
for US Congress and local Democrats to raise funds
while raising awareness of local issues. Russell
Schebesta, the town clerk for Middletown, will face
Republican incumbent Bev Shields on the ballot for
Delaware County Treasurer on November 8. Supporting
Schebesta's bid for the county seat at the October 7
event will be keynote speaker Kirsten Gillibrand who
has announced her intention of vying for the
Congressional Seat for New York's 20th District, Kelly
Keck and Cynthia Lockrow, candidates for Stamford Town
Board, Denise King of the State Democratic Committee,
Bill Buccheri of the Delaware County Democratic
Committee, and Windham-based folk musician Scott
Berwick.

Fri, 9 Sep 2005 11:19:12 -0400

After 9/11, our nation united against terrorism and those who want to
kill innocent civilians and destroy our American way of life.  New York
was impacted deeply by the tragic events and our citizens understand
first-hand the kind of unthinkable damage that can be inflicted by
hate-filled violent extremists.

For the first time in many, many years, the residents of the Town of Stamford will actually have a CHOICE when they enter the voting booths in November. For as long as many can remember, most of our Republican incumbents have run unopposed in all local elections. This is an unhealthy state for any democratic body and creates an environment perfect for the continuation of stale and outdated governance.

For the first time in many, many years, the residents of the Town of Stamford will actually have a CHOICE when they enter the voting booths in November. For as long as many can remember, most of our Republican incumbents have run unopposed in all local elections. This is an unhealthy state for any democratic body and creates an environment perfect for the continuation of stale and outdated governance.

More after the jump...