Special election preview gets muddy

Candidates are busy boasting about their endorsements and slinging some last-minute mud in final preparations for the September 13 special elections.
Assemblymember David Weprin, who is running for the Congressional seat once occupied by Anthony Weiner, received the endorsement of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) – the organization representing city public school teachers.
Weprin’s opponent, businessman Bob Turner, received the endorsement of two former mayors – Rudolph Giuliani and Ed Koch. Giuliani said that Weprin is a “career politician” and that is not what the city needs representing it in Washington.
The race between Turner and Weprin has gotten ugly at times with both candidates lacing into one another. Weprin has accused Turner of wanting to decimate Medicare and Social Security, as well as wanting to raise taxes on middle class families.
“You can’t cut, cut, cut and maintain the quality of life we have now,” Weprin said at a recent debate.
Turner believes that Weprin’s agenda is skewed by his career in politics.
“Mr. Weprin is tainted by a long career in politics,” said Turner. “This is something wrong with the system. And he’s part of the system. This is why he has to go.”
Philip Goldfeder, the Democratic nominee for Assembly District 23, also received an endorsement from the UFT. His republican opponent, Jane Deacy, said that she is setting out to change Albany’s “anti-business mindset.”
“To strengthen the economy and get New Yorkers back to work, we need to change the anti-business mindset in Albany and start enacting policies that will create jobs and make New York a more attractive place to do business,” she said.
Goldfeder also received endorsements from Senator Charles Schumer as well as police officers, firefighters and other safety unions.
“I’ll work hard to make sure government keeps its commitments to police officers, firefighters and all our public safety personnel – both active and retired,” said Goldfeder. “I know that public safety is of the utmost importance to Queens families and I intend on making it a priority when I get to the Assembly.”
In Assembly District 27, democrat Michael Simanowitz is squaring off against republican Marco DeSena. Simanowitz said that he is in favor of providing students with advanced technological tools in the classrooms, tax incentives for small businesses and funding for the borough’s public safety officials.
“Good jobs, lower taxes, good schools for our children and clean, safe streets,” said Simanowitz, laying out his agenda if elected to the assembly. “Public safety should not be and will not be a bargaining chip in the future, hopefully.”
DeSena said that he knows the area and the families who live in District 27 and he knows what they want.
“They are sick of the nonsense in Albany,” he said. “My approach to legislation will be: Does it make sense? Then I’ll consider it. Does it raise taxes? Then I won’t even think of considering it. It’s time to clean up Albany and get some outsiders in there.”
The fourth and final race to be decided on September 13 will be for City Council District 28. Councilmember Ruben Wills is running for reelection against challengers Alan Jennings Jr., Mike Duvalle and Clifton Stanley Diaz.