Times Says It's Time for Sheldon Silver to Go

The NY Times doled out a few endorsements for Albany-related primaries. The Times endorsed former Schumer aide and "enthusiastic new outsider" Daniel Squadron for incumbent State Senator Martin Connor's 25th District seat and endorsed incumbent Assemblyman Adriano Esapaillat for his 72nd Assembly District over challenger City Councilman Miguel Martinez.

However, the biggest endorsement is for Assembly District 64--home of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver--and the Times throws its support behind challenger Paul Newell. Acknowledging it's an "uphill battle" to beat Silver, the Times says, "Mr. Newell has done a better job of identifying Mr. Silver’s weaknesses: mainly, his devotion to closed-door politics, including his refusal to disclose details about his outside income. Mr. Newell is also pledging to support congestion pricing and to press for a nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is essential for real change." Silver, famously, killed congestion pricing.

More thoughts about primaries from Gotham Gazette and here are the primary candidates for the Assembly and Senate (PDF). Don't know what Assembly or State Senate District you're in? Here's an Assembly member look-up and State Senate district map.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 23, 2008 11:27 AM

Comments [rss]

Qraymond

Go Paul!!!

If you guys really don't like the Speaker, you should donate to Newell's campaign:

http://www.newellnyc.org/donate.html

I sent him as much as I could afford... he is running a very disciplined campaign.

NannyState

Let Silver run for City Council if he's just so great for New York City. For the state as a whole, he's been a serious drag on progress. Ask anyone from upstate: they want Shelly on a spit.

Alex

If sheldon silver hates traffic why doesn't he support congestion pricing?

kissel

thefacts,

silver has been a cancer on NYC. BTW, that stadium would have had traffic 8 days out of the year (BTW this is NYC if you dont like traffic you should live elsewhere.) Instead, we have no convention center and a hole in the ground that generates no revenue.

thefacts

None of you live in Silver's district, do you?

You believe what you read from the elitists at the NYT. What a pity!

Silver is great for his district and will be overwhelmingly elected. You wish he were your assemblyman.

He killed doctoroff's West Side Jets Stadium. All of Manhattan should cheer him for that nonsense which would have brought massive traffic jams and tax dollars to a super-rich sports team.

Go, Shelly!!

smokedgouda

Silver is the worst of politicians.

jackdonaghy

The congestion tax had a lot support from the city council. Sure, politicians from rich neighborhoods in Westchester and NJ didn't like the idea that their residents had to pay the tax when they drove their Mercedes to their Wall Street jobs, but Manhattan politicians were for it.

Aside from congestion pricing, Silver has a very loooong history of shady back-door dealing with Bruno and company that actually hurt the Democratic party, and more importantly, NYC residents. Silver only cares about one person and that corrupt self.

Bloomberg is not the most accessible politician, but he has NOTHING to gain by dealing with lobbyists. He's a billionaire folks. He doesn't need to make "friends." He really works with good intentions for the people of this city. Whether or not they're always practical ideas is a discussion for another post.

Wza

#6 agreed.

Think2wice

Shyeldun Silvah got rid of the commuter tax. I say 'tis time to part.

blablanyc

Don't even pick on Silver for closed door politics when nobody is doing a thorough investigation of Bloomberg. We still haven't gotten to the bottom of what Doctoroff's insider dealings. The Mayor's office keeps delaying and denying FOIL requests making it difficult to accumulate information.

blablanyc

http://assembly.state.ny.us/

I want to know what type of leather mask the pols in Albany have picked out for Paul Newell.

Silver did not kill the congestion tax. It had very little support. It was destined to fail.

takethecanoli

His cronies will keep him in.

jenspellnogood

the times only gets half credit on this one, given that they made this brave endorsement during a news cycle in which it was sure to get overlooked.

silver needed to go a long time ago, now that bruno is out it is prime time to fully eradicate the cancer that they are/were.