Unsurprisingly, the Erie County Democratic Committee (ECDC) has unanimously voted to endorse current State Senator William Stachowski in his reelection bid. More surprisingly, though not really when you know anything about Erie County politics, the party leaders decided to deny a motion to nominate candidate Sean Cooney, who is running against the sitting senator. I guess the “capital” Democratic Committee wasn’t feeling any love for their little “d” (democratic) brother, or more aptly described as counter part in this case.

What I find particularly hilarious, or enormously disturbing, is the mission statement on ECDC’s website:

To organize and operate the Erie Country Democratic Committee, as a community of people that is open, inclusive, accessible and principle-based, a community that always follows a lawful, democratic process to excite and engage all citizens… our women, our men, our minorities, our workers, and our youth… to recruit, elect and support good leaders to govern and guide us – today and tomorrow.

And that’s Senator Bill Stachowski, how? “Open, inclusive, accessible;” clearly inline with blocking a motion to nominate another candidate, and “inclusive…to excite and engage our minorities,” which Senator Stachowski has totes done by voting against the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and the Marriage Equality Act. He’s oh so inclusive. I can see how he fits the bill thus should be fiercely protected by  party leaders. However, let’s give credit where credit is due. He has engaged and “excited” many of us; we’re paying attention and are pretty pissed now, so, thanks Senator Stachowski?

What actually is amusing was Tim Kennedy’s attempt to spin his no-show for the endorsement. Apparently “insider” and party politics was perfectly fine while he was running for County Legislator and needed party money and volunteers to circulate his petitions to be on the ballot, but now Kennedy is the champion of  change. Which is also why he orchestrated a coupe in the County Legislature just like political outsider Senator Pedro Espada. Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that he has openly and repetitively stated that he will accept money from political agitators Steve Pigeon, who is believe to be behind the State Senate coup as well as the Erie  County coup, and billionaire Tom Golisano.

Regardless of the Party’s backing, Stachowski is in for a serious challenge this year. There are numerous groups that are hell-bent on ousting incumbents, like Reboot NY, and many, many gay organizations are targeting the eight Democrats that voted “no” on the Marriage Equality Act; Stachowski was a no vote.

Stay tuned for more on New York’s 58th District State Senate seat…