State democrats consider it an easy argument. They have a legislative agenda that they could achieve if they held the majority in the State Senate. Besides having to defeat republicans this November, they also face the challenge of the Independent Democratic Caucus, which shares power with the GOP and has been reluctant to endanger that coalition by pressing too hard for some agenda items.
So, the state democrats say its time for the IDC members to come home or face expulsion. They’re threatening primary challenges.
But once you get to the street level of politics, the clear lines drawn by members of the senate democratic minority become a bit fuzzier.
Take, for example, the case of David Vaslesky, a 10 year veteran of the Senate and an IDC member. There is little chance that, as a member of the democratic caucus, Valesky would have the same ability he has as a member of the IDC to steer funding toward local needs and projects.
While state democrats are threatening Valesky with a primary, the local democrats he works with are balancing the state message with the reality of the clout that the IDC affords their Senator.
Former state democratic co-chair Mayor Stephanie Miner of Syracuse has endorsed the Senator. She’s now been joined by Syracuse’s city auditor, the president of the common council and 7 of the 9 members of the council. The only two members not to join the pro-Valesky parade are Kathleen Joy, who seems unable to agree on just about anything with Mayor Miner, and Jean Kessner, who is one of two potential challengers to Valesky this fall.
In the end it becomes the argument over promises made by a caucus that had its problems during a brief period it was in control, versus an ongoing coalition that has proven to be lucrative as local leaders deal with budget problems and growing local needs.
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More Local Support for Valesky
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