 JOSEPH SPECTOR • Gannett News Service • September 21, 2008 - ALBANY — The Tom Golisano-led Responsible New York threw its support and $5 million behind 75 candidates running for Assembly seats in the November elections, the group announced Saturday. The group endorsed 57 incumbents and 18 challengers; 39 are Democrats, 36 are Republicans.
Golisano, the Rochester-area billionaire founder of Paychex Inc., started Responsible New York earlier this year to back candidates who he believes want to reform state government. The group asked candidates to answer questionnaires, which were reviewed to determine its endorsements.
He put $5 million of his money into the committee, which will distribute it based on the competitiveness of the races, aides said.
The group last month backed candidates for the Senate. Golisano, who ran for governor three times on the Independence Party line, has been criticized for trying to buy elections with the money and smear candidates he doesn't support.
Yet Golisano and group organizers have said that they are working independent of any campaign.
"Responsible New York is about reforming New York. That means changing the Senate and changing the Assembly," said group co-chair Steve Pigeon.
"These candidates have the experience and ability to enact the change New Yorkers need."
The committee stayed away from many races in the 150-seat chamber, including those in which candidates did not respond to the questionnaire.
It did not endorse Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, yet it did back Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady.
The endorsements include Westchester-area Democratic Assembly members Amy Paulin, Sandra Galef, Mike Spano and Richard Brodsky. It backed Republican candidate Robert Biagi, of New Rochelle, who is challenging incumbent Assemblyman George Latimer.
The group is backing Republican Assembly members Greg Ball, Patterson, Putnam County, and Annie Rabbitt, Greenwood Lake, Orange County.
In the Poughkeepsie area, the group is supporting Republican incumbent Joel Miller and Republican challenger Robin Yess, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Kevin Cahill. It also backed Republican Assemblyman Marcus Molinaro.
Rochester-area endorsements include Republican assemblymen Brian Kolb, Canandaigua; Stephen Hawley; and Bill Reilich.
It also backed Democratic Assemblyman David Koon, Perinton, Monroe County.
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