Here’s something that you folk who live elsewhere may not know about Albany politics. The city along the Hudson River hasn’t had a mayor who wasn’t a Democrat since 1921. There is a Democratic primary on Tuesday, June 24, with early voting from June 14 to June 22.
Here are the candidates for the nomination:
Dorcey Applyrs, the current city auditor. She was born in Washington, D.C., but has lived in the city for several years, serving on the city council. She has been winning the endorsement race. The incumbent mayor, Kathy Sheehan, who is not running for reelection, recently donated $10,000 to the political action committee supporting Dorcey, Albany Forward. One of the points Applyrs has consistently made is that she is not Sheehan 2.0.
Dan Cerruti, who was born in Albany but moved away. According to the Applyers supporters, they are “extremely concerned” about Cerutti’s campaign, since he was reportedly “formerly registered as a Republican living in Texas and only in 2023 re-registered his party affiliation as a Democrat.” And accepted MAGA money. Yet one of my reliably progressive buddies, whom I’ve known since college, vouches for him. Dan has recently been endorsed by former mayor Jerry Jennings, which honestly is not a plus.
Corey Ellis, born in Albany, is the president of the Common Council (city council), who didn’t enter the race until January.
Carolyn McLaughlin, born in Albany, served on the common council for many years and was president for seven of them. She’s now a member of the Albany County legislature. She is a cousin of a church friend of mine.
After watching a couple of debates where they all say, more or less, the right things, I was no more enlightened.
It’s just a primary
Then Corey Ellis came to our door a couple of weeks ago. I asked him why he entered the race so late, and he explained the timing in terms of his position with the state nurses’ association. He discussed some of his less visible achievements in the city. Did he see himself as a spoiler? No.
I decided to vote for Corey. Years ago, he spoke at my daughter’s class, and she was impressed. He was a speaker at a Friends and Foundation book review a couple of years ago.
My philosophy, not one I originated, is that I vote with my heart in the primary and with my head in the general election. That’s how I have voted in Democratic Presidential primaries for decades.
The interesting twist in this contest is that Dorcey already has the Working Party’s line for the general election in November. If Corey or Carolyn were to win the primary, I suspect, although I don’t know, that she might step aside in favor of them or at least not actively campaign. If Dan wins the primary, she would have another bite at this political apple.
Count my money
In the city auditor race, there are three candidates:
David Galin is the Chief of Staff of the City of Albany. Previously, he served as an attorney at the Legal Aid Society and with the United Way.
Sam Fein serves as an Albany County Legislator and is an Analyst in Albany’s Office of Audit and Control. He has worked as Policy Director in the New York State Senate.
John Rosenzweig is a public school math and attendance teacher, and he has coached baseball and soccer. He was a member of the Albany Common Council for two terms.
I wrote about my noncommitment. Sam wrote to me asking for my support, so I’m giving it to him. I’m sure David would be fine, even though his dog “talks” in his print ads. Incidentally, Sam is nominated by the Working Families Party.