Assemblyman Tobacco will not support Straniere

Another elected Republican official promises not to support Straniere;

Assemblyman Lou Tobacco (R-South Shore), who was a Straniere legislative intern in 1993, also said he would not support Straniere's bid.

"The people of my Assembly district, the core of the Republican Party, have spoken and I respect them," Tobacco said, alluding to Straniere's 2004 primary loss.

Where do the other elected Republican officials stand;
Ignizio - won't support Straniere
Lanza - is waiting to make a decision
Oddo - unknown

Will elected Dems match the Republicans investment?

With Rep. Vito Fossella's second quarter financial filing numbers we get a good insight to how many elected Republicans, that he has played a large role in getting into those offices, are funding his re-election campaign. The question is, will 2008 be different for local Democrats? In the past there has been lots of talk about taking out Fossella but very little financial support to the nominees. Here are the Republicans putting money up to keep this seat in Republican hands:

State Senator Andrew Lanza; $1,000
Staten Senator Marty Golden; $1,000

Assemblyman Lou Tobacco; $1,000

City Councilman Vincent Ignizio; $1,000
City Councilman James Oddo; $1,000

Until there is either one Democratic challenger or the primary determines a winner, our elected Dems;

* Senator Savino
* Assemblyman Titone
* Assemblyman Cusick
* Assemblywoman Hyer-Spencer
* Councilman McMahon
* Councilman DeBlasio

to name a few and anyone else who wants to invest in taking down Fossella and everything comes with that can give to the NY-13 General Fund which will be distributed to the primary winner to use in the General Election. Thanks to ActBlue.com for making this possible.

UPDATE: Sorry that title should be 'will' Dems step up not 'why', clearly this is a call out to challenge them to match their Republican counter parts.

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Assemblyman Titone

Congratulations go out tonight to Assemblyman Titone, who won his special election on the north shore with 49% of the vote. 5,876 voters turned out in the 61st AD vs the 3,210 who turned out in the south shore race. This is promising news, considering Titone alone garnered almost as many votes in the Democraticly favored north shore as both candidates in the 62nd AD, a heavily Republican favored south shore race won by Lou Tobacco(R). If one can extrapolate anything from these races, it is that the voter base, the ones who actually turn out for a special election, was either more organized or more motivated for the Dems today.

Tobacco's residency problem

via the SI Advance;

GOP South Shore Assembly candidate Lou Tobacco is fending off charges that he might not be qualified for the ballot because he worked in Arizona between January and June of last year.

The New York state constitution says that Assembly candidates must reside in the district they are running in for a year before the election.

John Mulia (C, D, I) is his opponent in the March 27th election. No campaign site appears to be available yet.

62nd Assembly election field set

The election to fill City Councilman Ignizio's former Assembly seat is set for March 27th. The Republican Party has nominated Lou Tobacco. His opponent, John Mulia, a registered Conservative Party member has picked up the Conservative, Democratic and Independence party nominations.

Lou Tobacco (R), website
John Mulia (C, D, I)