ALBANY, N.Y. — Not backing down from his strong criticism of Kathy Sheehan's administration, 15th Ward Common Councilman Frank Commisso, Jr., sat down with Time Warner Cable News on Wednesday for his exclusive first interview since revealing he will run for the mayor's office.
Commisso released campaign messages on Tuesday and Wednesday, with letterhead including the phrase "Frank Commisso, Jr. – Democrat for Mayor." He will formally announce his candidacy Thursday afternoon at Albany's Polish Falcons social club.
In a wide-ranging conversation Wednesday, Commisso discussed his political history and open disdain for incumbent Mayor Kathy Sheehan's leadership.
"I think our city has really struggled in so many respects over the past handful of years," Commisso said. "We have this structural budget defiict, which right now is in excess of $12.5 million."
Commisso acknowledged that the problems have a much longer history than Sheehan's first term as mayor, noting that he has voted against five of the seven budgets proposed during his term — including two from former Mayor Jerry Jennings. Commisso insisted, however, that Sheehan's tenure has steepened Albany's battle against fiscal woes.
Commisso says with his seven years of city political experience and his employment with Albany County government, he is best-suited to turn the city budget around.
"It takes a dedication to strong financial management," Commisso said, "and that's what's been lacking over the past three years."
"We can go tackle a $58 million property tax levy, which really hurts small business owners and seniors," he continued. "We can work with our employees better, so that we have settled labor contracts."
Commisso is in the midst of his second term as 15th ward councilman for Albany. In 2012, he launched an unsuccessful primary bid for the state Assembly.
More than his service, Commisso says his own father has taught valuable political lessons during his lifetime. Frank Commisso, Sr., is the majority leader of the Albany County Legislature and has served on that governing body since 1983.
"He's taught me some of those values from the Democratic Party of years ago," Commisso says, "when the Democratic Party took care of people, and took care of working-class taxpayers and seniors."
The father's prominence will likely also be a boon for the son's campaign, as Albany's well-known Democratic establishment often throws its valuable support behind candidates in these races — often supporting incumbents.
Family is a theme throughout Commisso's political life; as a father of a two-year-old, Commisso cited his daughter as reason to work towards a better city.
"I'd like this to be a city that she can stay in; I'd like this to be a city she can work in," Commisso said Wednesday. "There's so many other families that share those values, that say, 'I love Albany. I was born and raised in Albany and I want to stay here.' "
Commisso is the third candidate to declare candidacy for the mayor's office, after Democrat and Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin and Green Party candidate Dan Plaat.
Sheehan, also a Democrat, is expected to run for re-election, but has not yet formally announced a campaign. On Tuesday, Sheehan declined to comment on Commisso's new campaign.