Blakeman sues over campaign cash denial
A sudden funding cutoff is shaking New York’s governor’s race, as Bruce Blakeman fights to reclaim millions, according to the Times Union. The Republican candidate says state officials unfairly blocked public matching funds after already ... more
Jeff Gallahan will not seek re-election, endorses Mark Benjamin in announcement
New York State Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan announced Friday that he will not seek re-election this fall, citing recent health challenges after nearly six years representing the 131st Assembly District. Gallahan, a Republican and Conservative from ... more
Kastenbaum campaign files petitions, clearing ballot threshold with strong showing
Congressional candidate Diana Kastenbaum says her campaign has secured its place on the ballot in New York’s 24th District after submitting more than double the required number of petition signatures. Campaign officials announced the filing ... more
Rural NYers face limited ballot access from SAVE Act
Rural New Yorkers could face greater challenges to vote from the federal SAVE America Act. The bill requires voters to present a birth certificate or passport when voting, registering to vote, or updating their voter ... more
Canandaigua seeks applicants after Michael Mills resigns from Ward 1 post
The City of Canandaigua is moving to fill a vacancy on City Council following the resignation of Ward 1 Councilmember Michael Mills, with officials opening the application process for an interim appointment. City leaders said ... more
Christensen officially wins Penn Yan mayor race
A manual recount confirmed the results of a tight Penn Yan mayoral race, making Patricia Christensen the village’s next mayor, according to the Finger Lakes Times. Christensen defeated incumbent Dan Condella by just three votes, ... more
Auburn attorney announces independent run for NY-24 seat
A Finger Lakes attorney has announced a run for Congress in New York’s 24th District. Todd Sloan, 54, said he will run as an independent candidate on the “Upstate” line. Sloan said he filed with ... more
CONNECTIONS: Could University of Rochester grad Josh Shapiro be next U.S. president? (podcast)
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a University of Rochester graduate and potential 2028 presidential contender, was the focus of a recent Connections with Evan Dawson discussion. University of Rochester professor Gerald Gamm and Rochester City Council ... more
Village election results in Odessa, Penn Yan, and Aurora
Write-ins decide Odessa board seats A quiet election with no candidates still produced winners Tuesday, as voters wrote in two familiar names, according to the report. Incumbent Kristine Gardner, who said she’d serve again, and ... more
Kelles runs unopposed again
A longtime Ithaca lawmaker is heading into another election cycle without a challenger, according to The Ithaca Voice. Assemblymember Anna Kelles has launched her bid for a fourth term with no opponents yet in her ... more
What’s inside Democrats’ one-house budget resolution? A closer look
The New York State Senate Majority released its one-house budget resolution this week, outlining funding proposals and policy changes affecting housing, healthcare, education, transportation and other programs. The proposal includes new taxes and revenue measures, ... more
CONNECTIONS: A call for Democrats to move to the middle (podcast)
A Democratic-aligned policy group is urging the party to rethink how it communicates with voters as it looks ahead to future elections. On a recent episode of Connections with Evan Dawson on WXXI, Matt Bennett, ... more
Geneva man launches assembly challenge to Gallahan
A Geneva school employee is stepping into the race for a sprawling Finger Lakes Assembly seat, according to the Finger Lakes Times. Phillip Fleming, a teacher’s aide at Geneva High School, announced he’s seeking the ... more
Auburn native launches congressional bid
An Auburn native with deep ties to the Trump administration is entering the race for Central New York’s congressional seat, according to The Citizen. Kailee Buller, who currently serves as chief of staff to U.S ... more
Ontario County Democrats raise $22K
Democrats in Ontario County raised more than $22,000 during a fundraising event in Canandaigua last week. The Ontario County Democratic Committee hosted its “Season of Solidarity” fundraiser at Rio Tomatlan, drawing donors from across New ... more
Hochul leads Blakeman challengers in new poll
Gov. Kathy Hochul holds a strong lead over her biggest challenger and has reached her highest favorability rating since taking office, according to a new Siena College poll of New York voters. The survey found ... more
Kelles launches re-election campaign
State Assemblymember Anna Kelles is kicking off her re-election campaign with a public event in Ithaca, according to local reports. Kelles, who represents New York’s 125th District covering Tompkins County and part of Cortland County, ... more
Deputies back Valdina for judge in Cayuga County
Cayuga County sheriff’s deputies are throwing their support behind Chris Valdina’s bid for county judge, according to The Citizen. The Cayuga County Deputy Sheriff’s Police Association Local 9820 announced it backs Valdina, the chief assistant ... more
Spitzer backs DiNapoli challenger
A long-simmering rivalry just resurfaced in New York politics, as former Gov. Eliot Spitzer poured $18,000 into Drew Warshaw’s bid for state comptroller, according to the Times Union. Spitzer’s donation marks his largest in years ... more
