Andrea Stewart-Cousins

The communications director for freshman state Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester is leaving his job for a position on Dennis Kucinich’s presidential campaign.

Tom Staudter, who formerly wrote about music, just sent out an email announcement:

Serving three remarkable political leaders like John Hall, Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Dennis Kucinich in one year means this fortuitous vagabondage has given me an opportunity to work and acquaint myself with many new individuals. Thank you, all, for the help and kindnesses you’ve afforded me along the way.

Best wishes for the New Year.

Tom Staudter

The Times Union offered a gift of sorts to Democrats in the state Senate queasy about voting to allow illegal immigrant to obtain a driver’s license. By reporting on the technological difficulties some DMV machines have in detecting phony documents, senators can now, legitimately, say they oppose the plan because the technology isn’t there yet.

That’s how Jeff Klein had previously hedged his concerns about the issue before voting against the measure.

Seven other Democrats joined him.

I just got off the phone with Tom Staudter, a spokesman for one of them, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

At first, he pointed to the TU story and the technological troubles as the reason for Stewart-Cousins’ objection.

But when those kinks get worked out, I asked, would she support it?

“She still has a problem, in a sense, giving people a privilege that is conferred by the state,” Staudter told me. “The other thing is she is still looking at the plan.”

Here is an an internet-only ad from the state Senate Republicans attacking Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat in Westchester. I'm not sure exactly what the message is -- it's not particularly specific, unless there's some embedded subtext that's just going over my head. Your more enlightened interpretations are welcome.

UPDATE: A Republican source says the ad is running on cable television.

And so now New Yorkers hunker down for six long, luxurious and surely uninterrupted years of being r  read more »

Writing in today's Times, Jonathan Hicks hit on the curious indifference some Democrats have exhibited towards their party's razor-thin loss to Republican state Senator Serph Maltese in Queens.

The theory behind the lack of interest is that Maltese enjoys good relations with his Democratic counterparts that has somehow tempered their enthusiasm for ending his legislative career. And as a member of the majority, he's been a reliable source of state aid for the city and Queens in particular.

But a Democratic insider told me there's been a slight change of attitude.

Senate Democrats will be sending lawyer Henry Burger - who is in charge of the Andrea Stewart-Cousins recount in Westchester - to oversee the recount in Queens, where less than 800 votes separates Maltese from his opponent, Albert Baldeo.

-- Azi Paybarah

With 100% of precincts reporting, unofficial results have Andrea Stewart-Cousins beating incumbent Westchester state Senator Nick Spano: 41,369 to 39,224.

Kos sums up the conflicted attitude some Democrats and liberals are having today.

The American Prospect is overjoyed with this year and sees better days on the horizon.

"If the Democrats handle the next two years well, they could have 56 or more seats in the Senate when the next president takes office."

RudyBlogger thinks Giuliani may announce his presidential plans around January, and has one distinct advantage over John McCain now. Giuliani doesn't have to serve in a polarized senate for two years.

Then again, Ben notes that according to National Journal, Giuliani backed 26 losing candidates yesterday.

Potamac Flacks has a list of Democratic press people who found themselves working for committee chairman and congressional leaders today.

Early and Often says that last night, "Hillary made herself the show. The optimistically yellow suit didn't hurt, nor did the concise speech."

John Hall's music may be outdated, but his successful bid "may epitomize the 21st Century techno-savvy political campaign," says Liz Benjamin.

Chris Callaghan loses the tie and speaks from the heart.

Jerry Skurnik says the elections were good for the Jews and Buddhists.

El Diario is looking for Latino candidates.

And pictured above is my pass from last night.  read more »

-- Azi Paybarah

The campaign HQ in Yonkers for Andrea Stewart-Cousins--running for State Senate in the 35th District--is reporting they are on the receiving end of all sorts of polling place wackiness today.

"It's pretty bad," said Ted Lazarus, campaign spokesman.

One voter report they got was of a fellow dressed as a state trooper--gun and all--who has been touring with Republican poll watchers. This morning, he showed up at Lincoln High School. The trooper claimed to be off-duty, and Department of Justice monitors asked him to leave the site. The trooper showed up at another polling place later in the day.

Around 9:30 this morning, a woman complained that after voting for Stewart-Cousins, her fingers were sticky--and later, that woman's aunt reported that the lever for Stewart-Cousins was stuck. The campaign says that the DOJ monitors called in a technician, who confirmed glue on the voting machine.

The campaign also reports that a lawyer (and Democrat) confronted a group of men at yet another polling place who were attempting to hand lists of voters to be excluded to poll workers.

"They've been trying to do it all over the district," said Mr. Lazarus.

This is all unconfirmed at the moment. If you have more information, let us know.

--Choire Sicha

How long does Alan Hevesi have to enjoy his victory, if he wins?

How long does it take Republicans to get out the knives for state chairman Stephen Minarik? Who will replace him?

How many votes will decide this year's rematch between Nick Spano and Andrea Stewart-Cousins?

Does John Sweeney hold on? Or does he lose today because of the national Democratic surge? Or because of allegations that he beat his wife?

Who takes the seat in Buffalo: Tom Reynolds or self-financed Republican-turned-Democrat Jack Davis?

Could singer John Hall upset Rep. Sue Kelly?

In the city, how close does Stephen Harrison get to Vito Fossella?

What do the blogs say about Joe Lieberman's comeback in Connecticut?

If Bob Menendez hangs on in New Jersey, how quickly will this stuff go away?

And of course...What are the headlines in tomorrow's tabs?

-- Azi Paybarah

Happy Halloween!

Eliot Spitzer will campaign with Andrea Stewart-Cousins at the Yonkers Metro North train station.

John Edwards discusses U.S.-China relations at the Asia Society.

AARP holds an election issues forum for Hispanic voters at the James Monroe Senior Center in the Bronx.

Christine Quinn and Council Members visit the Hebrew Home at Riverdale.

A rally protesting rent increases for former homeless people with AIDS living in supportive housing will be held outside of the Governor's New York office.

Latino immigrants protest Hillary Clinton's support for a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border in front of her New York offices.

New York State Public Employees Federation endorses Staten Island Assembly candidate Janele Hyer-Spencer at the South Beach Psychiatric Center.

Queens Latino legislators call for an investigation of disenfranchised voters on the steps of City Hall.

Hillary Clinton addresses the Council on Foreign Relations.

Chuck Schumer joins Steve Harrison, Janele Hyer-Spencer, and State Senate candidate Matthew Titone for a Democratic solidarity press conference near the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island.

The Suffolk County GOP endorses Christopher Callaghan outside of the New York State Office Building in Hauppauge.

—Nicole Brydson

Bill Clinton celebrates his birthday, all weekend long.

On Saturday Hillary Clinton, David Paterson, Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel will join Andrea Stewart-Cousins for a rally at the Yonkers YWCA Auditorium.

John Faso campaigns upstate, making a stop at the 5th Annual Liverpool Village Halloween Festival.

Eric Massa attends a house party.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday there will a gubernatorial debate for third party candidates taking place at Katra, located at 217 Bowery, between Prince and Rivington Streets [added].

On Saturday and Sunday Democracy for New York carpools to campaign for Jimmy Dahroug for state senate in Suffolk County.

On Monday Christine Quinn and Randi Weingarten will be featured on a Drum Major Institute panel on pre-school education.

—Nicole Brydson

Hillary Clinton, in case you weren't sure, is headed for re-election and has some new ads here.

Nick Spano and George Bush share a website, which must make Andrea Stewart-Cousins pretty happy.

Ben has details of a private meeting in Brooklyn where elected officials gave the governor-to-be a wish list.

Liz notes that Rudy Giuliani hired two guys who used to work for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Fun with headlines! The Courant goes with "Kerry Praises Lamont, Kerrey Backs Lieberman."

Joseph Mercurio looks into the future.

Another person jumps into the 2008 pool.

Gotham Gazette highlights a Michael Daly column about a shockingly ironic Alan Hevesi audit.

Early and Often says that Hevesi's performance at the debate was like "King Lear with a calculator."  read more »

And pictured above is Hillary, who said at the Queens County Democratic dinner last night, "We need to get back to Clinton economic policies in Washington again and start growing the economy and bringing jobs here and not sending them overseas."

-- Azi Paybarah

Westchester's Nick Spano recently became the first Republican State Senator to express support [link added] for gay marriage, putting him at odds with majority leader Joe Bruno and his Republican colleagues.

But Spano argues that only a Republican can talk sense to Republicans, and that he'd make an effective catalyst for change inside the State Senate.

"I would be an effective voice in a senate majority conference that needs to hear voices of reason sometimes," Spano said. "I have moved the Senate with my voice, with members who very often were not as sympathetic to issues of marriage equality, gay rights and ending discrimination."

The Empire State Pride Agenda seems to have been moved, and gave their endorsement to Spano over his Democratic opponent Andrea Stewart-Cousins. They were apparently less convinced by her argument that she looks "forward to participating in a dialogue concerning whether these unions should be labeled 'marriage.'"

--Azi Paybarah

It seems odd to think that a Republican would ever some to rely on the support of the Working Families Party.

Yet it must be considered bad news for Nick Spano that the WFP has apparently ruled him out this year. Party members are now deciding between remaining neutral in his State Senate re-election battle and endorsing his Democratic opponent, Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

Spano won by a narrow margin over Stewart-Cousins two years ago, thanks in part to a Working Families Endorsement after he pushed a minimum wage increase through Albany.

The difference this time, a party source explained, isn't that Spano has stopped being an loyal ally. It's just that, in the wake of the collapse of a Wal-Mart "Fair Share" bill -- which Spano supported, as this piece from yesterday's Times-Union explained -- he's no longer viewed as an effective one.

-- Josh Benson