Nick Spano says no to a campaign in 2008!
-
- May
- 8
Former state Sen. Nicholas Spano just called to say he has decided NOT to run for his old seat this fall, leaving the GOP in search of another candidate to take on Democrat Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
“This was a very difficult decision.” Spano, 54, told Politics on the Hudson. “As my father would always tell me, never go back, always move forward.”
Spano confessed that the 35th Senate District’s changing demographics and strong Democratic enrollment played a role in his decision not to run. But he insisted the key factor was his desire to “smell the roses” a bit longer.
“I will focus my attention right now on things I’ve never been able to do before, like spend time with my wife, my kids and the family,” Spano said.
Spano’s decision leaves Mary Mahon, a Hartsdale lawyer and former Long Island Rail Road official, as the only announced candidate. However, party officials expect that Yonkers City Councilman John Murtagh will soon enter the race.
Another potential candidate is fellow Councilman Liam McLaughlin, a close ally of former Mayor John Spencer.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 11:28 am by Glenn Blain.
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LOU’S GONNA BE UPSET!
Wow, interesting that Spano is the same age as me, I thought he was older. Probably just because he’s been in the limelight for so long, I guess.
Murtagh for Senate!
There is no doubt that Nick would have made a strong
candidate but frankly…his decision makes more sense
now that he is in the private sector…Having said
that..we need a republican senator to balance
all the democrats in the assembly….a republican in
teh senate has a better chance of getting the money
yonkers needs in the next few years until the development
revenue starts to come in…I understand there are three
candidates vying for the seat…a primary might be a good
thing
All thos SpaNOite-hangeroners must be crying in their wine at Giulios right now….
If there’s a primary, Murtagh will mop the floor with them.
I still have one of his mailers from last year’s primary on my fridge. It’s a classic.
MURTAGH all the way. Character – Integrity – diligence and conservative values. The right man for the job!
two yonkers councilman fighting it out both males
with a woman in the mix..problem is that the district
includes greenburgh and mt pleasant..
It will never reach that point. Murtagh’s the guy.
McLaughlin’s leadership on the Yonkers City Council in addition to showing his ability to work with Democrats makes him the obvious choice. Cousins has delivered nothing for the district and its time to bring in someone who has proven he can deliver for the district he represents.
McLaughlin for Senate!
Liam would have a difficult time representing Yonkers or campaigning with all the trouble he has approaching.
PINOCHIO-I ASSURE YOU WE ARE NOT CYRING IN OUR WINE-THE ONE WHO WILL BE CRYING HOWEVER ARE THE RESIDENTS OF THE 35TH SENATE DISTRICT-LOOK HOW WELL YONKERS FAIRED WITHOUT HIM THIS YEAR-WE HAVE NO VOICE IN THE SENATE-I WISH NICK SPANO ALL THE BEST HE DESERVES IT FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR US OVER THE YEARS
Mary Mahon is the choice. She’s got the transportation background and will bring some new ideas up to Albany. Plus she could re-ignite the GOP in Greenburgh and be a good Senator for Yonkers.
Either Mahon, Murtagh or McLaughlin – each would be an improvement – they will all bring back more economic assitance to the district and will be better positioned to pass laws to help Westchester. I have no idea why Andrea S.C. ran for this seat in the first place because Yonkers, Greenburgh and Mt. Pleasant have now lost millions of dollars from State because of her ego-driven campaign. She really has accomplished nothing over past 2 years. Andrea was not even productive when she was in the majority of county legislature, so I don’t have high hopes for her performance even if the Senate goes Democratic.
I don’t care if you loved or hated Nick Spano, but that guy always delivered for his district.
Oh yes, let’s run the woman who was a political hack at the MTA.
and that is exactly the point..with a majority in the state
senate..a republican state senator from the 35th would
have the leverage that a democrat simply cannot have..
unless the good people of yokners greenburgh and mt pleasant
want to keep taking a beating they should return a republican senator and oust andrea stewart cousins
As long as the state Senate remains in Republican control, it would benefit the district for its senator to be a Republican. And Gina is implying Liam McLaughlin has a dark cloud hovering over him. I could guess, but I won’t. It’s up to her to explain what she means.
A wise decision from nice man. Can’t imagine who in their right mind would want to enter this area’s political arena right now.
Dear Gina B.,
I have no ‘trouble approaching’. Since it appears that you are referring to the Federal Investigation of the Ridge Hill transaction, let me clear the air since it is obvious that you haven’t been paying attention.
As has been reported at length I have been advised by the US Attorney’s office that I am neither a target nor a subject of the investigation. I was served a witness subpoena. The same one that Dee Barbato and John Murtagh were served. Nice try however. It is no surprise that “Team Murtagh” has already started with the gutter politics! I guess that is what you do when you can’t win on the issues.
Regards,
Liam McLaughlin
Liam has the integrity, experience and courage of his convictions to serve the voters of the 35th district very well in the senate. Liam embodies the best qualities of an elected official. When he campaigns he tells you what he stands for and when he is elected he stands for it with passion and unwavering dedication. The voters in this area and around the country are sick of the rash of “weather vane” politicians that have no character or priorities and stick their finger in the wind on every issue. Liam says what he means and means what he says that is very refreshing these days. “McLaughlin for Senate”: go ahead say it out loud it kinda has a nice ring to it.
Go Liam…......He is the only candidate that truly has the courage of his convictions and will stand up for all of the people of Yonkers.
John Murtagh is an opportunist whose only interest is his own well being.
I have not always agreed with Liam, but I have respected that fact that he was loyal to his constituents and had the best interest of all of the people in Yonkers at heart.
He’ll be a strong voice for all of the people in the Republican Senate!
liam may be a spencer ally..but he is not involved in
any wrongdoing regarding ridge hill….
republicans can kiss this district good bye
Thank God Nicky is finally giving it up! His ego is bigger than he is.
Since I haven’t a prayer of winning an election, I have decided to spend time with the family.
Liam McLaughlin’s leadership on the council, decreasing proposed property tax increases as the Council’s budget committee chairman is exactly what is needed… fighting for the residents of this district in tough economic times. Something that the other potential cadidates that were mentioned would not be able to accomplish.
McLaughlin for Senate!
Gotta love it.
Someone complains that the Murtagh supports are out in force, Liam open his mouth, and suddenly this board is infested with Liam Lovers who tout him as the second coming. Gee, I wonder how that happend.
Liam is already answering criticisms because his huge ego cannot handle anyone saying anything about him that he does not like. he has to get in your face about it. Very poor people skills, especially in Albany.
The guy simply is the most devisive person on the Council. Constantly fighting with Murtagh, it is really disgusting to watch.
Sadly, his candidacy will conjure up the memories of Mosiello, who kept switching parties. Liam votes with the democrats, then the republicans, then the democrats again. Which is it? No consistancy. it is all about pissing off Murtagh. And that is the mark of a childish bully.
Seems to me that would mean he votes on the merits and is capable of working in a bipartisan way.
McLaughlin for Senate!
Liam, I had no idea you were hit with a subpoena by the Feds.
But thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately for him, Liam McLaughlin has a 400 pound albatross around his neck. Its name is John Spencer.
It’s also so nice to know the US Attorney has designated the Consultant his spokesman on who did what in the Ridge Hill case. Impressive. (Sarcasm.)
Ha
OKAY – LOU’S ALRIGHT – THANKS FOR THE CONCERN WALT! YOU GOT IT WRONG WALT! YOU THINK I ONLY CARE ABOUT SPANO – THAT’S NOT TRUE! I CARE ABOUT ALL OF US IN THIS DISTRICT THAT ARE FIGTING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS – ANDREA SIMPLY HAS NOT DELIVERED – IN FACT WE HAVE LOST A LOT! SO LOU’S ENDORESEMENT GOES TO LIAM MCLAUGHIN! MURTAGH IS A NICE GUY BUT HE’S NOT A FIGHTER. LIAM IS THE FIGHTER WE NEED. I WILL BE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE LIAM IS ELECTED AND DO NOTHING COUSINS IS SHOWN THE DOOR.
McLAUGHLIN FOR SENATE!
if we can develop a consensus that andrea stewart cousins
in ineffective..and that we need to have a republican in the
state senate..why don’t we all just wait for the party
to choose its nominee whether mahon, mccloughling, or murtaugh and then work as hard as we can to elect that
person..since the district is registereed democratic
that will be plenty to do instead of taking swipes at
either liam or murtaugh which is not helpful at all
and although the US attorney and I havent; spoken
I can tell you that liam is not a target or a subject
John Murtaugh is a great man of high moral character who would be a superb representative of our Senate District.
Tim Hays
Former Greenburgh GOP Chairman (2001-2005)
Hastings GOP Chairman (2000- present)
Funny how Nick gets out, and Liam is suddenly in.
Liam does what he’s told. Always.
Sounds like Nick wants to muddy Murtagh up so he doesn’t pose a threat to Mike Spano down the road.
Maybe we just need a GOP candidate to take Mike Spano out this year, and all our problems will go away.
Besides, that NY Times story about Mike Spano and Ridge Hill is just too juicy. Voters in Spano’s Assembly District will love that mailing!
Speaking of Ridge Hill, reading between the lines in today’s Journal News article, it appears (at least to me) there is about a 90 percent chance Yonkers councilwoman Sandy Annabi will soon be indicted for at least mortgage fraud.
I believe her lawyer, Murray Richman, is trying to get out there ahead of a probable indictment.
So, nobody is wagering on whether Sandy Annabi gets indicted very soon? Based on today’s article, I think she will be, in part because of what I said about her lawyer in my previous comment. I think Richman is setting the stage for what is probably coming. I think he orchestrated the entire article.
Democratic Assemblyman Mike Spano now has been subpoenaed by the Feds. Between Assembly gigs, Nick’s brother was a lobbyist for Ridge Hill for a time. This was just reported on Cable News, and Mike looked like he’d rather be in a foxhole than talking about this subpoena.
I am “bumping” this thread before the weekend because there is news about a subpoena for Mike Spano, and other news about Yonkers Council member Sandy Annabi, that this blog has not reported on today.
QUIT CRYING WAHOO! LIAM MCLAUGHLIN IS GOING TO CRUSH MURTAGH!!!!TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!
Who cares, Lou? You, McLaughlin, and Murtagh. By the time everyone savages everyone else, you’ll have Cousins again.
I disagree Ed. The Republican Party, on the City, County, and State level will be getting behind Liam McLaughlin’s candidacy very shortly. It is obvious to them, as it will be to the voters, that Liam McLaughlin is the answer to who can beat Cousins.
I AGREE – LIAM IS THE ONE WHO CAN WIN..
I wonder if WCBS TV is going to cover Mike Spano being subpeoned by the federales. Mikey’s wife Mary is an achor with the network. I hope they’re not sitting on this hot story of corruption and influence peddling.
Thanks Lou… I knew I always liked you :)
By the way, Mr. Blendetto, I haven’t seen a story on Mike Spano on any news channel, other then Snooze 12 of course. Maybe it’s not much of a story because he did nothing wrong…..
i agree with yks voter! i don’t think it means you did something just because you were supeoned to court. otherwise the whole city would be in trouble here. mike spano is an honest guy. everyone knows that. hey tony – don’t hate because his wife is on channel 2 news! one day maybe you will make something of yourself too. you never know…
NO PROBLEM MR. YKS VOTER! ANDREA “DO NOTHING” COUSINS HAS GOT NOTHING DONE FOR US HERE.
70 MILLION TO L.I—YONKERS ZERO IN HIGH TAX RELIEF
FUNDING SHORTFALL YKS EDUCATION MONEY
GREENBURGH -26% TAX INCREASE
YKS PROJECTED 9% INCREASE
2 YEARS AGO NICK SPANO BROUGHT IN 76 MILLION DOLLARS IN RECURING AID FOR YONKERS ALONE. THAT WAS ON TOP OF THE MONEY WE GET NOW. SO WE ENDED UP STILL WITH A 50 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE THIS YEAR. ANDREA JUST CAN’R GET THE JOB DONE. THIS CITY NEEDS A FIGHTER IN ALBANY. WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND SUPPORT LIAM MCLAUGHLIN! ANDREA – YOUR 15 MINUTES ARE JUST ABOUT UP..
Those are pretty disturbing numbers. We need Liam McLaughlin in the Senate delivering for the people of the 35th Senatorial district!
McLaughlin for Senate!!!!!
Tony Blendetto – I have all your records! I especially like ‘The Spano of Your Smile.’