Does anyone know

Anything about the possible candidates (should this story prove true)? In retrospect, I'm disappointed that I didn't make more of an effort to learn about and get involved with the race in MA-05, especially given how close the primary was.

This is a blue seat in a blue state in what looks like it will be a blue year. We have, at least in theory, the opportunity to elect a real progressive here. Certainly any candidate must support the McGovern bill (McNulty did). I'd also like to see someone come out in favor of single-payer.

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by: DavidNYC @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 00:41:49 AM UTC

I bet

that Republicans will actually attempt to make a serious play at this district.  I bet they will try to run Republican George Amedore, who was elected in an upset in a special Assembly election in August in a heavily Democratic district.  He is also very wealthy and would be able to self finance his campaign. 

This may actually be a good thing for Democrats.  Without him running for the Assembly seat, Democrats will almost certainly pick it up.  Also, this district is more Democratic than his Assembly seat is since it includes heavily Democratic and hyper-partisan(it even voted against Pataki in 2002) with its substantial minority population, which casts 58% of the districts vote.  I doubt any Republican would break 45% here because if this. 

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by: Sean @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 00:43:34 AM UTC

I forgot to mention

that that county is Albany county. 

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by: Sean @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 00:44:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Progressives take note

I know absolutely nothing about Brian Stratton, but his father Sam was a "Boll Weevil" who supported Reagan's policies in the early Eighties.  There were only a handful of Boll Weevils from districts above the Mason-Dixon Line and Stratton was one of them.  He also was a Vietnam hawk and he never met a weapons system he didn't like.

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by: Vadranor @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 00:53:50 AM UTC

Not to worry

This district is more Democratic than Tom Allen's in Maine.

Democratic nominees may include State Assemblyman John McEneny or State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrati or State Senator Neil Breslin, whose district is drawn perfectly to fit in the 21st district like a puzzle.

Republicans may run one of their Schenectady Assemblymen, but Albany is so overly Democratic, it won't really make a difference.

I was kinda hoping McNulty would hang on until redistricting and then the state could split his district between Gillibrand and Arcuri, making them safe, but oh well. 

Liberty Avenue Politics - a place for politics in Southern Queens

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by: nrafter530 @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 00:59:26 AM UTC

That would have been great

But they probably still will.  What they will likely do is add Arbor Hill(Albany's African American community) to Gillibrand's district, give Schenectady to John McHugh(NY-23) and give the rest of Albany to Arcuri.  That would create three safe upstate districts for Democrats. 

They are also likely to make Hall(NY-19) much safer by extending his district into the Bronx. 

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by: Sean @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 01:12:38 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well but we'll have a Dem incumbent now

who won't be thrilled about losing his seat.

The idea is that if McNulty retired in the 2012 election cycle, there'd be an open district that could be divided up among those three GOP-leaning seats without screwing over an incumbent.  That can't happen now.

28, gay guy, Democrat, CA-08

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by: texas dem @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 22:48:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He could run against McHugh

in a new Dem leaning district that would favor the Democrat. 

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by: Sean @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 22:57:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What was the best thing he did in Congress?

What should his long career in Congress be remembered for?

26, male, Dem, NJ-12

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by: duffman @ Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 04:31:53 AM UTC