NY Deserves a Special Election for US Senate Seat Vacancy

While Governor David Paterson prepares to announce the candidate he has chosen to replace Senator Hillary Clinton as New York’s junior U.S. Senator, I unveiled legislation that would end the pattern of “accidental” elected officials who entered into office without a mandate from the people of New York State.

With the Governor, Comptroller and now a U.S. Senator coming into office through appointment as opposed to democratic election, I introduced a bill that would amend the State’s Public Officers Law to require Special Elections for any vacancies in the office U.S. Senator for New York State.

My bill requires the Governor – within ten days – to call a Special Election within 90 days of the occurrence of a vacancy. If the vacancy were to occur less than 100 days before the annual Primary or General Election, the Special Election would then be held during the regular election cycle. 

My Opening Remarks on the Assembly Chamber Floor Regarding this Year's Legislative Session

My Reaction to the State of the State