John Byrne is the GOP candidate battling Dem Addie Russell in NY's 116th AD.
He has leaving no stone unturned in his efforts to show voters why he thinks (and in turn they should think) Russell is wrong for the district.
Here's the info from Byrne's Camp:
“The North Country fails to have someone in the state Assembly who’s serious about cleaning up Albany.”
John Byrne, Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform candidate for state Assembly, noted that his opponent, Assemblywoman Addie Russell, has failed to be a reform leader and ethics champion in the state Legislature at a time when corruption is at an all-time high. Citing her voting record as proof, Byrne believes his urgency to address ethics issues in the state Assembly pales in comparison to Ms. Russell’s reactionary approach.
“North Country residents deserve someone who’s going to be proactive and a leader on ethics reform in the state Assembly. That’s why it’s incredibly offensive when my opponent says she’s serious about ethics reform while her record proves otherwise. Being so disingenuous is a prime reason why voters are fed up with Albany politicians like my opponent and have such little faith in government,” said Byrne.
Russell first voted against pension forfeiture of corrupt public officials before caving in to public pressure, finally voting for it in June 2016. She also twice voted against term limits for legislative leaders. In January 2016, Russell voted against 17 good-government bills that would have made the state Assembly more open, accountable and transparent to New Yorkers. Byrne believes this just another scenario of Ms. Russell not being able to own up to her record.
Ms. Russell also accepted campaign contributions from former Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who sexually harassed and groped women in his office, and then was removed from office for his actions. To date, Russell has not returned the campaign cash.
When former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was under investigation for corruption, she voted for him to lead the Assembly. After he was arrested for federal corruption charges, Russell claimed the arrest was ‘politically motivated,’ and she continued to defend him. Silver was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison earlier this year for fleecing the public.
“My opponent’s record on ethics is abysmal and indefensible. When it was revealed her colleague Vito Lopez was treating his office like a sexual playpen, she remained silent.
“Her lack of motivation to be proactive on ethics reform is typical of a complacent, go-along-to-get-along Albany politician. We deserve better. And we deserve a change in the state Assembly.”
Byrne outlined that his first bill introduced in the state Assembly will be his “Cleaning Up Corruption” proposal, which will include:
· Term limits: Eight year term limits on legislative leaders and committee chairpersons;
· End bid-rigging: From the time an individual, business, corporation submits an RFP (Request for Proposal) to New York State, and if that entity is awarded the contract, then 1 year from when awarded, that entity is banned from donating to a state official, political committee or independent expenditure group. Additionally, when the applicant entity submits an RFP, the applicant must notify who they have made contributions to and then the recipient must refund the entire contribution(s) made within the previous 365 days (one-year lookback provision); and
· Limit Special Interest Money in Politics: Move the contribution limit from $100,000 to $10,000 max that can be donated to a state, county, local political committee or an individual. This includes individuals, corporations, unions, lobby groups, businesses.
“I’m the only candidate in this race who will pledge to support a bold reform package like this, which will begin the process of picking up the pieces of the shattered trust Albany politician have left us.
“This isn’t about waiting to address a problem until it’s politically expedient. We need real leaders, with real solutions that aren’t afraid to stand up to the political bosses in Albany and tell them enough is enough,” said Byrne.