By Colin Campbell 12/04/12 1:03pm

Texts From Hillary

hillary letter

Hillary Clinton’s Under-the-Radar Letter Writing Campaign

As rumors mount that outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may run for president in 2016, the former First Lady took steps to solidify her relationships with some Democrats by sending hand-signed notes to candidates who got bested in close congressional races. For example, Nate Shinagawa, who narrowly lost his challenge to GOP Rep. Tom Reed in Western New York, received a missive from Ms. Clinton two days after his defeat. In her letter, Ms. Clinton offered some supportive words and encouragement for Mr. Shinagawa’s future political endeavors.

“You should be proud of your campaign and the dialogue you had with voters about the values we hold dear as Democrats,” Ms. Clinton wrote. “Thank you for accepting the challenge of seeking public office and for your commitment to creating a better future for the American people.”

Ms. Clinton’s letter to Mr. Shinagawa was not an isolated incident. Sources with at least two other losing Democratic congressional campaigns told Politicker their candidates received similar letters. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/15/12 2:38pm

upstate happenings

(Photo: Getty)

With A Shifting, More Democratic Seat, Tom Reed Faces New Challengers

GOP Congressman Tom Reed saw his Upstate district get more Democratic under the court-drawn Congressional map, going from one John McCain narrowly won in the 2008 presidential election to one Barack Obama did. And, unsurprisingly, challengers are emerging with campaigns to challenge him this November.

Dan Lamb, an aide to retiring Congressman Maurice Hinchey, and attorney Leslie Danks Burke, who doubles as the Chair of the Ithaca Democratic Party, were both planning to run for Mr. Hinchey’s seat, but it was divided up between up between neighboring districts in the new Congressional plan, with their Tompkins County home being moved to Mr. Reed’s seat.

A third candidate from the same county, Tompkins County Legislature Vice-Chair Nate Shinagawa, also recently announced his intentions. Read More