The Times-Union did a great little write up on the two challengers to the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver this morning. It emphasizes that these young Democrats were not even out of the crib when Silver went up to Albany to represent the 64th District. More importantly it shows how much these two young activists want to change the scene up in Albany and institute real change, not only for the Lower East Side and Downtown, but the entire state as well.
From The Times-Union:
Newell, 32, and Henry, 33, have both formed campaign finance committees and begun campaigns to defeat Silver in the Sept. 9 Democratic primary for the 64th Assembly District.
They say they want to overturn the power structure in Albany.
For years, Silver has refused to disclose his income as a trial lawyer. Both Henry and Newell said they'd release their tax returns.
"We're running this campaign to win," Newell maintained. "That said, we're trying to get a more responsive government. If we scare Sheldon Silver, that would be a great help."
Henry puts it more simply.
"The goal is to win," he said.
Yes, the goal is to win. We need change in Albany desperately and rooting one of the three men in a room in our state government would be a great start (including taking the state Senate back) to reforming how things are done in New York. I've had the honor to talk to Paul a few months back and certainly liked what I heard. Getting face time with Sheldon Silver is less likely than the Knicks having a plus .500 season this year (hint: they've already lost 1/2 the season thus far). Silver won't even talk to the press about his challengers. That is because he does not want to acknowledge the people in his district, people like Paul Newell and Luke Henry who are sick of how things are being done. The residents of the 64th District.....and all of the districts around our great state deserve a system of government that responds to the citizens, and not the cronyism that we have now.
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