38th Assembly District special election: Take two
Posted on August 14, 2009 by Stephen Stirling in Assembly, District 14, District 38, State Senate
All right, everyone, once more — but with feeling.
Gov. David Paterson just sent out a release announcing (for the second time) that there will indeed be a special election on Sept. 15 to replace Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio (D-Richmond Hill), who resigned in June after pleading guilty to corruption charges.
Readers may recall that about this time last week, Paterson made the same announcement, only to recall the news release a few hours later. It was reported that the peculiar set of events was prompted by vocal protest from state Senate leaders Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans) and John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), both of whom have backed Albert Baldeo.
Baldeo claims any call of a special election would be an attempt by Democrats to undermine his candidacy.
Paterson denied this, and said in a statement that the decision would be the “most cost-effective” way to bring democracy to the 38th District.
“Although there were concerns raised about last week’s announcement, after a comprehensive review of the issues at stake, I have determined that a Special Election on Primary Day is the most cost-effective, expeditious way to ensure that the people of the 38th District are appropriately represented in the Assembly. I urge all eligible voters to go to the polls on September 15 to select their next Assembly member.”
