Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate

by Andrew C White, Fri May 26, 2006 at 11:30:30 AM EST

Brian Keeler (known on-line as NYBri) is a New York DFA member running for the State Senate in the 41st district (Columbia and Dutchess Counties). I've know Brian on-line for a year or so now but met him personally for the first time at our Democracy For New York state convention last month. I think he'll make a great State Senator.


He is making his formal announcement and posted it on-line at DailyKos:


I'm told Markos will be featuring Brian's campaign today. If you are a DailyKos member please recommend Brian's diary. If not, please read and learn about Brian and his campaign. His is a very winnable seat. Democrats only need to win 5 seats to take control of the state senate and I think Brian's can be one of those 5.


Brian's district overlaps with Kirsten Gillibrand's (NY-20 CD) and you might consider helping out both campaigns over the summer and fall if, as I do, you decide Brian is one of your candidates for this year.


Please check him out!


I think you'll like what you see.




Tags: Brian Keeler, New York, 2006 Elections (all tags)

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Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (3.00 / 2)

NY has one of the strangest, and in my view, most corrupt systems of state government in the country.  Only three people matter and the rest of the elected folks might as well stay home on most issues.  That's the Speaker of the State Assembly (always a Democrat), the Senate Majprity Leader (for decades a Republican( and the Governor.  Any of these three has a veto.

Getting control of the NY state senate is a huge thing.  Huge.  I lived in the NY part of the burbs for about 10 years (Westchester).  This doesn't work like other states I've lived in (NJ, PA, IL, MA, WI, FL).

Go Bri.


by David Kowalski on Fri May 26, 2006 at 02:50:36 PM EST

Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (none / 0)

I would add that, since Elliot Spitzer was elected in 1998, the office of AG has become far more powerful than it used to be. I agree, though, about the other statewide offices.

BTW, what other statewide offices--other than gov, AG, or Sen--are elected in NY?


by elessar on Fri May 26, 2006 at 03:24:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (none / 0)

State Comptroller and Lt Gov are also statewide elected offices, although the Lt Gov runs separately in the primary and as a ticket with the Gov in the general election.


by John Mills on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:13:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (3.00 / 1)

Agreed although things are starting to change slowly but surely.  There has been a lot of pressure brought to bear on Albany to change the way it does business and a bunch of reforms were passed last year which are starting to open up the process.  We have passed two consecutive budgets on time which is a sign of progress and younger legislators are starting to be let into the process.

The election of Spitzer as Gov will help.  Another positive thing is that the legislature is probably going to get new leadership soon since neither Silver nor Bruno (if he is still Maj Ldr in 2007) are young.

We have a ways to go but things are moving in the right direction.  The election of Dem State Senate would move it along even quicker.


by John Mills on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:21:49 PM EST
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Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (none / 0)

Quite right. We are 5 seats away from gaining control of the state senate as well as the governors mansion. The leaders of the state senate are reform minded progressives and we have a real hope of changing the way business is done in this state by opening up the process.

Electing Spitzer alone is not enough to achieve this. We need to take the State Senate chamber as well.


The 10,000 Things
by Andrew C White on Fri May 26, 2006 at 03:21:37 PM EST

Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (none / 0)

Andrew - I answered you in the other thread.  I think we agree on this stuff for the most part.

Is Brian being supported by the NY Senate Dems?


by John Mills on Fri May 26, 2006 at 06:15:33 PM EST
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Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (none / 0)

Unknown. I'll find out... and I'll bring pressure to bear. At a guess I'd say they are probably taking a wait and see if he can develop his campaign on his own. They have set their sites far too short if you ask me.

I'll get back to you with an answer.


The 10,000 Things
by Andrew C White on Fri May 26, 2006 at 08:26:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Brian Keeler (NYBri) for NY State Senate (3.00 / 1)

John, I am receiving support from the Democratic Senate membership and teh DSCC. I am in constant contact and they are certainly watching this race with interest.

Money, hopefully, will follow. Until then, we are reaching out to all interested organizations and campaigns for support and endorsements....including Paterson's office and Eliot.

We are really moving on that front, but nothing replaces face to face with the people in my district. I am marching in a parade in Red Hook on Monday with Kirsten and beginning my door to door  after yearlykos.


The Albany Project. The best damned blog about New York State politics.
by NYBri on Sun May 28, 2006 at 09:12:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]


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