Wednesday September 11, 2002 - Openly-gay Democrat Danny O'Donnell, in his second bid for state elective office, beat out seven other candidates to take the 69th Assembly District with 34% of the vote. Although he has a Republican opponent on November 5, the 69th Assembly District is so overwhelmingly Democratic that O'Donnell is viewed as the next Assemblymember.
He will be replacing longtime Assemblymember Edward Sullivan and becomes the third openly gay or lesbian person in the New York State legislature. The other two are Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) and State Senator Tom Duane (D-Manhattan).
"Danny O'Donnell's victory represents the opportunity to gain another critical voice in the chamber of the legislature that has demonstrated a willingness to address the needs of the LGBT community," said Joe Grabarz, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda, New York's statewide nonpartisan lesbian and gay political advocacy organization. "Danny is another example of the lesbian and gay community providing the Democratic Party and the political system with a progressive and articulate voice on issues important to all New Yorkers."
The Pride Agenda has a long working relationship with O'Donnell based upon his prior unsuccessful race for a State Senate seat. His is one of about two-dozen primary races across the state that the Political Action Committee of the Pride Agenda endorsed and supported. Of the total, only three candidates lost yesterday with another two locked in such tight races that recounts will almost certainly be necessary.
Redistricting and Retirements Produce Several Competitive Primaries
While a number of LGBT endorsed candidates, mainly incumbents, coasted to victory against weak challengers, redistricting and a few retirements did produce several competitive Democratic primaries and a loss by one notable supporter of the gay community.
Senate District 13 (Queens) - Former NYC Councilman John Sabini won this newly created Senate seat in a three-person race with 45% of the vote.
Senate District 17 (Brooklyn) - Ten-year Senator and strong supporter of the gay community Nellie Santiago lost in a very close race to former NYC Councilman Martin Malave Dilan. Dilan did not return a questionnaire to the Pride Agenda. As a City Councilman, he did vote for the 1998 Domestic Partnership Law.
Senate District 21 (Brooklyn) - Lori Knipel received a number of LGBT endorsements, including the Pride Agenda's, but finished well behind the winner, Kevin Parker, in this newly created State Senate seat. Parker, a former assistant to Comptroller Carl McCall, won the primary with 35% of the vote. Finishing a close second was former NYC Councilman Noach Dear, who had a history of anti-gay hostility during his years on the Council. Although Parker did not return a questionnaire to the Pride Agenda, he is not viewed as being unfriendly toward the gay community.
Senate District 31 (Manhattan) - One of the more closely-watched races yesterday, Pride Agenda endorsed incumbent Eric Schneiderman ended up having an easy time beating former NYC Councilman Guillermo Linares. Schneiderman was thought to have a tough race on his hands due to redistricting, which created a Hispanic majority in District 31.
Senate District 32 (Bronx) - Incumbent Senator Pedro Espada lost narrowly to NYC Councilman Ruben Diaz, Sr. The two will face each other again on November 5 as Espada will be running as a Republican. The Pride Agenda did not make an endorsement in this race. It did however signal its unhappiness with Councilman Diaz's past positions and statements on LGBT issues in an August 28 letter to Bronx Democratic Party Chair Jose Rivera. Although it was received too late to be part of the endorsement process, Senator Espada's questionnaire indicated a strong willingness to work with the lesbian and gay community on important legislative issues.
Assembly District 22 (Queens) - Finishing fourth, first-time candidate John Albert lost to Barry Grodenchik in this newly created Assembly seat in Flushing. John Albert was an active member of the Hate Crimes Coalition and had strong gay support in his race. Grodenchik did return a Pride Agenda questionnaire and is expected to be friendly on LGBT issues.
Assembly District 46 (Brooklyn) - Incumbent and good friend of the gay community Adele Cohen edged out a victory over challenger Susan Lasher. Lasher had previously run for NYC Council and had good name recognition and support in the district.
Assembly District 73 (Manhattan) - Jonathan Bing won 41% to win the Democratic primary in this Upper East Side district held formerly by Republican John Ravitz. Ravtiz decided to retire after failing to win a Special Election in February for a Senate.
Assembly District 89 (Westchester) - Twelve-year incumbent Naomi Matusow remains locked in a tight race with challenger Adam Bradley. A recount will probably occur. Matusow is a long-time supporter of the LGBT community. Bradley returned a strong questionnaire.
Assembly District 91 (Westchester) - Endorsed by the Pride Agenda, Democratic challenger Noam Bramson had a surprisingly easy time beating entrenched incumbent Ronald Tocci, who has a consistently bad voting record on LGBT issues. Bramson, though, must face Tocci again on November 5 as Tocci is also the Republican and Conservative Party candidate. If it weren't for Bramson challenging the status quo in this district, the voters might still be subject to having many choices on November 5 but all of them being the same person.
Assembly District 95 (Rockland County) - Former county legislators Ellen Jaffee and Ryan Karben are looking at a recount to determine the winner in this close race to succeed retiring Assemblymember Samuel Colman. While the Pride Agenda endorsed Jaffee along with LGBT leaders in Rockland County, Karben has expressed support on LGBT issues in his questionnaire.
Assembly District 125 (Ithaca) - Barbara Lifton had an easy time beating the other two candidates hoping to succeed retiring Assemblymember Martin Luster.
Assembly District 141 (Buffalo) - Crystal Peoples had no problem winning this open seat vacated by longtime incumbent Arthur Eve, one of only two Assemblymembers and the only Democrat to vote against the Dignity for All Students Act this year.
Statewide Races
Pride Agenda-endorsed Alan Hevesi handily beat William Mulrow for the Democratic nomination for Comptroller. While both were very supportive on LGBT issues, Hevesi as an Assemblymember and NYC Comptroller also has a long history of working with the community. He will face John Faso, former Minority Leader of the Assembly, on November 5. Faso has a good record in the Assembly on LGBT issues, but does not have an equally strong one on women's reproductive health issues.
Surprising some but not everyone yesterday, businessman Tom Golisano won the Independence Party nomination in a close race with Governor George Pataki. This could complicate Governor Pataki's quest for a third term, as Golisano is expected to spend heavily on commercials attacking Pataki's record and siphon off conservative voters. The fate of SONDA, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, still pending in the Republican-controlled Senate could be determined by how Governor Pataki positions himself between Golisano and McCall.
The Pride Agenda's Political Action Committee has yet to make an endorsement in the Governor's race. It has already made a number of general election endorsements for Assembly and Senate seats. These can be viewed by clicking here. The Political Action Committee will be meeting later this month to consider additional endorsements.