Gennaro Outraising Padavan Hand Over Fist

Before the actual vote on election day, fundraising prowess is an important quality to have in order to get your message out. That lesson has been taken to heart by challenger and City Councilman Jim Gennaro. He is currently running against State Senator Frank Padavan, a long time Republican representing the 11th District located in Northeast Queens. Usually the incumbent is the one with more money to spend, but not in this race.

From The NY Times:

Mr. Gennaro this week reported that he has raised more than $100,000 since July, taking his current balance to about $412,000. That compares with $164,000, which Mr. Padavan’s campaign reported having on hand.

But Mr. Padavan, who was first elected to the state Senate in 1972, is considered something of an institution in the district, which includes several northeastern Queens neighborhoods, among them Flushing, Bellerose and Whitestone.

The money race is clearly no contest, but the quest for votes is a different matter. Padavan has been in there a long time and while an "institution" for the area, the same could have been said for Marty Connor down in SD-25. In 2008, people are looking for a change not only on the Presidential level but here at home as well. It is well known that the system is broken up in Albany and Padavan is a part of that malfunction.

Mr. Padavan, who prides himself on getting things done in Albany, is considered quite popular in the 11th Senate District, even though Democrats far outnumber Republicans – by a margin of 3 to 1.

But Mr. Gennaro is known as a tireless campaigner. He is willing to knock on thousands of doors to acquaint himself with voters, even while it is difficult to defeat an incumbent.

The term "getting things done" would be more appropriately replaced by "bringing home the pork." While doing good things for your district is an important part of a Senator's job, restoring dignity to the State Senate is far more valuable. Albany is in desperate need for repair and the progressively-minded Jim Gennaro would be an excellent replacement for Padavan.

Oh and as a way of putting my money feet where my mouth is, I'll be volunteering for Jim tomorrow out in the district.