State Dems giving Martins a free pass

The Island Now

I am stunned and disappointed by the apparent failure of New York’s Democratic Party leaders in Downstate New York, who have been unable to field a strong candidate against a potentially vulnerable incumbent with a backwards position on civil rights.

Jack Martins’ 451-vote victory against former state Senator Craig Johnson in 2010 helped to tip the control of the state Senate to the GOP. 

His election was a direct result of the worst case of voter apathy I’ve seen in decades. Consequently, the election of Jack Martins to the state Senate nearly doomed the close passage of the Marriage Equity Act that was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo this past June. This was because in an act of political cowar dice, Mr. Martins voted against that bill, effectively voting against the civil rights of his lesbian and gay constituents.

Republicans since have expanded their advantage to 33-29 after an upset win in a special election in Brooklyn. Because of Martins’ narrow win, Democrats were expected to mount a strong challenge in an attempt to regain the chamber. Stunningly they have not, as they have obviously failed to land a high-profile candidate.

Recently, as I dropped off my wife at the Great Neck LIRR station, I saw all of the big and colorful signs for Jack Martins’ re-election. 

I have not seen a single sign for his opponent (from the Democratic Party) anywhere. I have no idea who his opponent is. 

Given the closeness of the state Senate, I am shocked that there is no visible opposition to Jack Martins. Why would a freshman senator who barely won election in the first place get a pass like this?

In this day and age, the branding of any candidate is essential in getting elected (or reelected) and right now, Sen. Martins’ opponent has no brand, no name recognition and no visibility whatsoever. 

Given all of the varied forms of social media and viral communication vehicles, it boggles the mind that no one is taking advantage of this opportunity. We have an enormously popular governor, who could potentially become our next president. 

One would think that the Democratic party would be going all in to use Governor Cuomo’s popularity as leverage to elect Democratic representatives all around NY State, both in local and in federal races; especially when you consider how closely split our s tate Senate isand how awful the GOP brand and messaging are.

The potential cause and effect of a 451-vote margin should give all voters enough reason to know that your vote really does count. And the local leaders of the New York State Democratic Party should know better.

 

Paul Sundick 

Great Neck

Share this Article