Niagara Falls, NY, May 03, 2010 — Over the weekend, Democrats from around New York state gathered in Niagara Falls to talk about rural issues. They face some tough fights in November's elections, as they work to defend state Senate and US congressional seats.

Jimmy Vielkind is a political reporter for the Albany Times Union and he was at the conference. He spoke with Brian Mann.

Note: Winning the Democratic rural conference straw poll doesn't mean that Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is an official candidate for governor. He has yet to declare that he's running for the office in November.  Go to full article

Sherrill, NY, Apr 15, 2010 — A three-term Oneida County legislator wants to unseat Republican State Senator Joe Griffo. Democrat Mike Hennessey lives in the city of Sherill, which has been embroiled in land claim and cigarette tax issues with the Oneida Indian Nation. So it's no surprise Hennessey wants New York to collect taxes on tobacco sold at native-owned stores as a way to close the state deficit. He also wants to eliminate unfunded state mandates, reform state ethics codes, and create jobs. Hennessey is a financial advisor and former small business owner. He told David Sommerstein a visit to a local soup kitchen for veterans compelled him to run for State Senate.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Mar 22, 2010 — Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy made it official Friday - he's switching from the Democratic Party to become a Republican and run for governor, he says, as a change agent. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 29, 2009 —  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Oct 21, 2009 — It's two weeks until Election Day in the race to replace John McHugh in the 23rd Congressional district. So far, the campaign has been characterized by attack ads and big infusions of cash from national sources, and careful management by Washington-based insiders. There have been very few public appearances where voters can ask the three candidiates about the issues. Today, we have the first of three profiles to try to flesh out who these candidates are and what they stand for. Bill Owens is a lawyer in Plattsburgh. He represents CVPH Medical Center and Mountain Lake PBS, among other clients. He's married, has three children and four grandchildren. He's a lifelong independent who says President Barack Obama's message of change inspired him to run as a Democrat. David Sommerstein has this profile.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Oct 14, 2009 — Governor David Paterson made a "campaign-style" swing through the North Country yesterday. He repeated his pledge to run for a full term as governor next year. He told St. Lawrence County Democrats at their annual dinner in Canton that he can win, despite historically low poll numbers for a sitting Governor. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 12, 2009 — Plattsburgh attorney and former Air Force captain Bill Owens has won the Democratic Party nod in the race to fill John McHugh's House seat. Owens was a law partner to former Republican state Senator Ron Stafford and has described himself as a lifelong independent. He told Brian Mann that he is comfortable taking up the Democratic banner, though he differs with state Democratic officials on some issues, including same-sex marriage.  Go to full article

Aug 13, 2008 — It's been a tough year for Republicans in New York state and around the country. The GOP could lose two more House seats in November, in western New York and on Long Island. The best chance for Republicans to win back a seat may be in the 20th district, which stretches from the Hudson Valley through the North Country to Lake Placid. The race between Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Sandy Treadwell is expected to be intense and expensive, with a price tag of at least six million dollars. Today and tomorrow we'll talk in-depth with the two candidates. We start with Sandy Treadwell, who lives in Essex County. Treadwell is a former Secretary of State and a former chairman of New York's Republican Party. He spoke with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Apr 09, 2008 — The New York Times reported yesterday that Republicans are struggling to recruit candidates for congressional races in New York. Freshman Democrat Mike Arcuri, who represents the southern Adirondacks and the Mohawk Valley, was expected to face a stiff challenge this year. But after forming an exploratory committee last November, the Republican's top choice, businessman Richard Hanna, hasn't entered the race. It's just one example of what seems to be a trend leading up to November. Brian Mann and David Sommerstein joined Martha Foley to talk about what's happening, and why.  Go to full article

Nov 15, 2006 — Hamilton County, in the central Adirondacks, voted a straight Republican ticket last Tuesday. It was one of only two counties in the state to do so. The other was rural Wyoming County, south of Rochester. The rest of New York -- and even much of the North Country -- voted staunchly Democratic. As Brian Mann reports, even many Republicans in this very conservative part of the state say their party has to expand its appeal.  Go to full article