Doors will open at 6:30 PM. Event starts at 7:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available on the street.

I hope to be able to arrange for live blogging from this evenings event but don't have that confirmed with the host facility yet.

We're all familiar with our own Brian Keeler of course. He is running for the State Senate in the district just south of my own. Democrats need to gain just 5 seats to take over majority control of the State Senate and we believe Brian has created for himself an excellent chance to be one of those 5 seats. I am hearing excellent reports from various people within and without the party about Brian and the job he is doing. This is no windmill tilt!

Also invited is Brian Premo who is running for the Senate in the 43rd District. The incumbent in this district (mine) is Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno. Brian is unconfirmed at this point but I am hoping he can make it. Bruno has gone unchallenged for the last 12 years or so. It is time.

State Senator Neil Breslin is the Senator for Albany County. He was an early support of Gov Howard Dean and has spoken with our group in the past. Senator Breslin has expressed interest in becoming the Democratic Senate Leader next year with the departure of current Senate Minority Leader David Paterson who is running for Lt. Gov as Eliot Spitzer's running mate. Senator Paterson has been a fantastic leader and will be sorely missed in the Senate but there are several excellent and capable candidates available to step up to his leadership position and I am very pleased that Neil Breslin is one of them.

Assemblyman Ron Canestrari, of Cohoes is a member of the Assembly leadership. He Chairs the Committee on Higher Education and has a fantastic record of leadership on progressive issues. This will be Assemblyman Canestrari's second appearance with us as he joined us for a one on one session to discuss the Brennan Center for Justice Legislative Reform proposals last year. His district comprises portions of Albany, Saratoga, and Rensselaer Counties.

Assemblyman Bob Reilly, is in his first term as a member of the Assembly. His district is split between Albany and Saratoga Counties. He is often referred to as the "citizen legislator" because of his devotion to public service and accessibility to the community. Mr. Reilly ran on a strong reform platform last year defeating a long time Republican Assemblyman. The Republicans would very much like to retake his seat and are expected to give him quite a challenge this year. Mr Reilly's biography page does a good job of explaining why we are interested in his candidacy and excited at the opportunity to hear from him and potentially get involved in his campaign.

We've had a couple requests by candidates in other districts that we've had to turn down but may be in the audience this evening and available for conversation afterwards.

If you are in the Albany are this evening please feel free to drop by. There are no charges for admission and, while I'm sure the candidates would welcome any contributions offered, this is not a fund raiser. We do hope that people will be energized to get involved in the campaign(s) of their choice and will help make a difference in New York this year!

Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region (DFHMR) is a Capital District grassroots organization dedicated to advancing socially progressive, fiscally responsible politics. DFHMR was formed in support of the 2004 Presidential campaign of Gov. Howard Dean and inspired by the goals of Democracy for America (DFA). DFHMR works in conjunction with the 45 groups that make up the Democracy for New York coalition as well as with the nearly 700 DFA associated groups across the nation.

For more information please visit website http://www.dfalink.com/DFHMR