NY Observer > Martin Connor

Spokesman Supports Term Limits, and a 30-Year Incumbent

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:22:10 -0400

The spokesman for Marty Connor's re-election campaign, Chad Marlow, supports term limits, even though his boss, a state senator, has been in office since 1978.

In 2005, when the City Council was reportedly looking to alter the city's term-limit laws, Marlow authored a blog post on the Drum Major Institute’s web site called "Confessions of a Term Limits Convert." He wrote:

“If you believe our elected officials are largely comprised of highly talented, innovative thinkers who represent the very best our society has to offer the public sector, you would naturally oppose term limits. I do not.”

Connor’s opponent, Dan Squadron, talks frequently about the need to shake things up in Albany. read more »

Spot the Liberal Reformer!

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:02:33 -0400

On the surface, the story is a familiar one.

A young insurgent, Dan Squadron, decides to challenge an entrenched incumbent, Marty Connor, in a State Senate race, in a year when public antipathy towards the ossified ways of Albany is greater than it has been in recent memory. The line between underdog liberal reformer and entrenched proponent of the status quo should be clear.

But a couple of unusual things have happened. Squadron, 28, has acquired the trappings, at least, of the establishment guy. He has raced out to a lead in high-increment fund-raising -- he has spent heavily but still has nearly $300,000 on hand, whereas Connor has barely spent $2500 and has only $83,000 -- and has gained support from some powerful labor entities like UNITE HERE, the Communication Workers of America and the union-backed Working Families Party. read more »

Squadron Campaign Out-Raises (and Mocks) Incumbent Connor

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:57:35 -0400

Democratic State Senate candidate Dan Squadron decisively out-raised incumbent Marty Connor, who he's challenging.

According to the latest campaign finance filing (January 2008 to July 2008), Squadron raised $226,166.27, spent $122,031.26, and was left with $293,192.01 on hand.

Connor raised $120,555, spent $40,093.08 and has $82,962.92 on hand.

That's a significant disparity, but in addition, Connor has a second campaign committee, called The Connor Committee, which, according to the filing from the same period, is in debt for $45,513.43.

Since this January, that second Connor campaign committee spent $7,857.74, payments that include numerous political contributions. For example: The Connor Committee gave $500 to the Harry Truman Democratic Club, $300 to the Independent Neighborhoods Democrats, $500 to Downtown Independent Democrats and $500 to the Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats. read more »

Cohen Defends DFNYC's Non-Endorsement in Connor-Squadron Race

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:44:22 -0400

Lewis Cohen, DFNYC finance director, is striking back against critics who were baffled by the organization's decision not to endorse in the race between State Senator Marty Connor and his challenger, former Chuck Schumer aide Dan Squadron.

Cohen said both candidates posed problems for the group’s progressive membership.

Some members of DFNYC didn’t think Connor had been outspoken enough on congestion pricing, Cohen told me, nor did they think that his work as an election lawyer raised “progressive confidence within this community.” There was also lingering unhappiness with Connor’s campaign tactics against his 2006 challenger, Ken Diamondstone, who many progressives preferred over Connor, Cohen says. read more »

CWA Union Endorses Squardon

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:06:11 -0400

Here’s more endorsement news from the race between State Senator Marty Connor and his challenger, former Chuck Schumer aide Dan Squadron.

The Communication Workers of America Local 1 announced they are endorsing Squadron. For an insurgent, that's a major coup.

It's also worth noting that the union’s statement acknowledges there isn't much difference between the two candidates on policy:

Squadron's opponent—Senator Martin Connor—has been in office for decades. In the highly progressive 25th State Senate District, on many important issues the candidates profess similar, or even identical, views. Yet Squadron has the energy, fresh perspective and detailed understanding of the issues to effectively move legislation. read more »

Silver Opponent Quotes Silver Ally to Pressure Silver

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:21:38 -0400

One of Sheldon Silver’s Democratic opponents is asking him to release his tax returns, and, in making the case for him to do so, is quoting one of Silver's allies: Marty Connor.

In this Downtown Express article, Connor, who has been Silver's legislative partner and election lawyer for years, said he would release his own taxes for the last five years and says, “Why not do it?" read more »

Lambda Endorses Connor, Declines to Endorse in Towns-Powell Race

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:46:06 -0400

Brooklyn’s oldest and largest gay Democratic club, Lambda Independent Democrats, endorsed neither Representative Ed Towns nor his challenger, Kevin Powell, at its endorsement meeting last night.

In the heated State Senate race between State Senator Marty Connor and his challenger, Dan Squadron, the club chose Connor.

I've put in some calls to find out more--I'll update when I hear back.

The full list of Lambda endorsements: read more »

Connor-Squadron Debate Echoes Presidential Race

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 19 May 2008 09:07:21 -0400

Ask (Some of) the Candidates: Silver, Connor, Squadron, Newell, Henry

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:57 -0400

Democracy for New York City, the progressive group related to Howard Dean's Democracy for America, is holding a forum on Sunday, May 18 for the candidates in two upcoming elections: the one for Sheldon Silver's Assembly seat, and the challenge to State Senator Marty Connor.
read more »

Connor Responds to Squadron Attack

Katharine Jose — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:27:25 -0400

State Senate candidate Dan Squadron, trying to unseat Marty Connor, is framing the race as one between two wings of the Democratic Party, progressive and establishment--and he made his first issue the politics of Albany. In doing so, he drew attention to some of the vagueness of those terms. read more »