By Colin Campbell 2/03/12 8:29am

not interested

Mark Murphy

Murphy Has 99 Problems With Grimm But Fundraising Allegations Ain’t One

Throughout New York’s 13th Congressional District, Democrats are giddy and Republicans are defensive over the fundraising allegations against GOP Congressman Michael Grimm, where the New York Times‘ sources accused him of various crimes, including accepting envelopes full of cash.

However, after a thorough investigation, Politicker found the one person in the district who absolutely doesn’t want to talk about it: Mr. Grimm’s chief Democratic opponent, Mark Murphy.

“You know, I read the New York Times. I’ve read many of the different articles and I’m focused on my campaign. I’m focused on protecting Social Security and Medicare,” Mr. Murphy forcefully stated in response to a question at an event. Read More

By Colin Campbell 1:01pm

another time

Senator Greg Ball (Photo: Facebook)

Greg Ball Says He Won’t Challenge Nan Hayworth This Year

In a move likely to disappoint Democrats hoping for a contentious Republican primary for Hudson Valley Rep. Nan Hayworth, State Senator Greg Ball said today he’ll simply run for reelection instead.

“She makes it so tough to not run against her because she is disconnected from the district she represents. But this Senate seat decided the balance of power in the previous election and will be similarly important in the next election,” he said in an interview with Yossi Gestetner. “So I am focused on reelection to the State Senate.”

Mr. Gestetner then pressed Mr. Ball specifically on whether he was ruling out the Congressional campaign. Mr. Ball responded that he’s “totally committed on reelection to the State Senate.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/06/12 11:14am

Gun Control

Rory Lancman (Photo: Facebook)

Lancman: Bob Turner Puts 'Our Safety at Risk to Satisfy the Gun Lobby.'

Democratic Queens Assemblyman Rory Lancman is taking issue with newly minted GOP Congressman Bob Turner declining to state his position on federal gun control legislation. Assemblyman Lancman is frequently mentioned as a possible candidate against Congressman Turner next election and this latest salvo represents a continuation of  the Assemblyman’s efforts to keep the heat on Turner in the meantime.

“Congressman Bob Turner’s troubling position on guns leaves Queens families and New York’s finest vulnerable,” Assemblyman Lancman said in a press release. “It’s extremely unsettling that someone who represents me and my community would put our safety at risk to satisfy the gun lobby.”  Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/05/12 1:59pm

year end review

DCCC Logo (Photo: Facebook)

DCCC Reviews Grimm and Hayworth's Records and Disapproves

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the electoral arm of the House Democrats, sent out a release chronicling votes that Representatives Michael Grimm and Nan Hayworth cast over the last year and unsurprisingly finds them somewhat wanting.

“The first year of Representative [Michael Grimm’s/Nan Hayworth's] Republican Congress is marked by extreme partisanship and unbending protection of Big Oil and the ultra wealthy,” a DCCC press secretary said in two releases. “[Grimm/Hayworth] and House Republicans have spent this first year in chronic chaos — failing to protect the middle class or create jobs — and are now off on vacation rather than putting Americans back to work.” Read More