Political digest
The following items are taken from e-mails from the campaigns of people seeking election in November. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order:
Annie Rabbitt
Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt (R-I-C-Greenwood Lake) has received the following endorsements in her bid for re-election to the 98th Assembly District:
New York State Fraternal Order of Police, Empire State Lodge.
“We have based our endorsement of Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt upon her demonstrated and continued support of police professionals,” said the groups's president Charles J. Caputo. “Further, as police professionals who most experience the trauma and effects of criminal behavior wreaked upon our fellow citizens, we understand, all too well, the significance of dedicated public servants like Assemblywoman Rabbitt who possess the courage and compassion to promote confidence in our governments and courts.”
New York State Rifle & Pistol Association (NYSRPA) has given Rabbitt an A+ rating for her outspoken support of Second Amendment rights and her consistent sponsorship of pro-gun legislation and initiatives.
“Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt has been a steadfast advocate for the gun owners and sportsmen of New York,” said Tom King, NYSRPA president. “She has been a strong voice for protecting our constitutional freedoms and we need to keep that voice in Albany. I am proud to support her bid for re-election and I urge all those who feel threatened by the gun grabbers in the state Assembly to get out the vote for Assemblywoman Rabbitt.”
Kyle Roddey
Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey, a Republican, running for the 99th state Assembly seat, has received the following endorsements:
Wawayanda Town Supervisor John Razzano.
“As the Town Supervisor I know firsthand the problems facing the people of the 99th Assembly district and as local governments across New York are facing continued job loss, increasing taxes, and more burdensome regulation that continues to choke our small businesses we need a voice in Albany to fight for us,” Razzano said in a press release. “I wholeheartedly endorse Kyle Roddey because he will fight to create jobs in New York and be a voice that sides with the taxpayer, homeowner, and small business. The last thing we need is another lock in step vote for Shelly Silver in the State Assembly,.”
New Windsor Town Supervisor George Green.
“The problems facing New Yorkers grow more serious by the day,” Green said in his press release. “Here in this Assembly District we see the problems that the democrat controlled Assembly has helped to create by issuing failed policies that have led to historic levels of unemployment and continue to hamper small businesses from creating jobs. Kyle Roddey is the only person in this race that understands that government doesn’t create jobs, people do and he is exactly the kind of voice we need fighting for us in Albany - Kyle gets it.”
Cornwall Town Supervisor Kevin Quigley.
“As an executive of local government and a small business owner,” Quigley said in his press release, “I not only understand the problems facing our communities I work daily to solve them and in order to be successful we need a partner in government that understands and has a record of pro-growth, pro-business policies and will always side with the job creator and protect the homeowner from already destructive property taxes and that is exactly why I am endorsing Kyle Roddey for State Assembly.”
State Sen. William J. Larkin Jr.
“I am endorsing Kyle Roddey in this election because he is a supporter of small business, lower taxes, less regulation and he fundamentally understands what must be done in Albany to bring desperately needed jobs back to the Hudson Valley,” the senator said in a press release. “Kyle will be a partner in government that I know I can work with and who will always side with the small business owners on our main streets and will protect the homeowners from unfair taxes.”
James Skoufis
Woodbury Town Councilman James Skoufis, a Democrat running for the state Assembly in the 99th District, has received the following endorsements:
Orange County Legislator Matt Turnbull, whose County District 11 includes the towns of Hamptonburgh and New Windsor.
“James isn’t afraid to fight for the issues that matter most to this community, like keeping Valley View open, and I know he’ll do whatever it takes to keep property taxes down, repeal the MTA payroll tax and invest in our children by working to improve our public education system,” Turnbull said in a press release announcing the endorsement. “I’m confident he’ll be the leader we need.”
The New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State.
“More than ever, the Hudson Valley needs thoughtful elected leaders who seek ways to protect the environment while making government more efficient,” Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said in a press release announcing the endorsement. “James Skoufis is exactly the kind of leader we need in Albany.”
The New York State Nurses Association, the largest professional organization for registered nurses in New York, with more than 37,000 members.
“We look forward to James Skoufis’s advocacy for safe staffing levels for patients in every hospital across the state and for nurses who play a key role in delivering quality care,” said Deputy Director Nancy Kaleda said in the press release announcing the endorsement.
Planned Parenthood and National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL).
“James Skoufis has a clear vision and the right priorities for our families – we’re very happy to be supporting him,” Carol Bowers, vice president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, said in the press release announcing the endorsement. “In the year 2012, debates over women’s rights should be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, they’ve been more highly scrutinized than ever before. James Skoufis recognizes and understands the challenges facing women, and he’ll be a strong advocate for us.”
“We’re very impressed with Mr. Skoufis’ commitment to protecting women’s rights,” added Sabrina Shulman, vice president of political and legislative affairs for NARAL. “In times like these, when women are having their rights attacked, having an advocate on the state level goes a long way.”
Skoufis has also received endorsements from the New York State Union of Police Associations (NYSUPA), the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) and the New York State League of Conservation Voters.