I'm here in Buffalo for the weekend, and while candidates today have been holding mostly private meetings or drop-ins, over the weekend all three are expected to hit the trail to hold rallies and meet with voter groups. Check back at Hotline On Call for the latest, but meanwhile, here are the key updates on the race: the Tea Party Express denounces Davis, Corwin could still put in even more of her own money, the NRCC puts more cash behind Corwin, and MoveOn dips a toe in.
-- The Tea Party Express will roll into New York's 26th District on Monday - but it won't be in support of the candidate who's on the ballot as the tea party line. In fact, they're coming to specifically oppose independent Jack Davis and support Republican nominee Jane Corwin.
In a release issued Friday, the group denounces the two-time Democratic nominee for the seat for "fraudulently calling himself a 'tea party' supporter" when he "opposes core tea party principles and is attempting to spoil the race for conservatives."
TPE is the latest independent conservative group to wade into the race opposing Davis, joining American Crossroads, FreedomWorks and the 60 Plus Association. TPE is still weighing how to get involved further, although their strategy is likely to involve both radio and online ads and robocalls.
Participants in rallies both in Rochester and Buffalo include TPE Chair Amy Kremer, former GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, TEA New York organizer Rus Thompson and Primary Challenge founder Leonard Roberto.
-- Corwin has already put $1.96 million of her own money into her campaign, and as the race enters its final days, she's not ruling out putting in more if necessary. "We're going to see how it goes, but the important thing is to be able to get my message out and understand what I truly stand for," Corwin told Hotline On Call in an interview today. "My husband and I always planned on putting money in the race because I think it's important for people to understand this is a commitment from me." -- The NRCC is also devoting more resources to the race, upping their ad buy that begins Monday to $400,000 across the district, according to a Republican source. That's nearly $135,000 more than what was initially announced Thursday. -- MoveOn.org has also stepped into the race, sending out a fundraising email for the Working Families Party in support of Democrat Kathy Hochul's campaign. They're enthusiastic about the race for the reason as national and local Democrats' - Medicare. "A win here will send shock waves through the Washington establishment. It'll put Republicans on the defensive and slow their attacks on the middle class. And it'll embolden Democrats to stand up and fight. Winning here may be the best way to save Medicare," the email said. "Our allies at the Working Families Party are running a massive on-the-ground campaign that could swing the election. But after Karl Rove'scorporate front group dumped $650,000 into the race this week, grassroots efforts are even more important - and they need help from progressives nationwide." -- New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo (D) sidestepped a question earlier this month about his support for Hochul, but on Friday he did confirm his backing for the Democrat, but stopped short of saying what he would be doing to help her, YNN's Liz Benjamin reports. "I obviously support Kathy 100 percent and however the campaign wants me to help it would be my pleasure," said Cuomo. "I'd rather do it the way the campaign wants me to do it. However, I can be helpful I will and I'll leave it to her and the campaign to make that decision."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/ny-26-afternoon-tidbits-13
In a release issued Friday, the group denounces the two-time Democratic nominee for the seat for "fraudulently calling himself a 'tea party' supporter" when he "opposes core tea party principles and is attempting to spoil the race for conservatives."
TPE is the latest independent conservative group to wade into the race opposing Davis, joining American Crossroads, FreedomWorks and the 60 Plus Association. TPE is still weighing how to get involved further, although their strategy is likely to involve both radio and online ads and robocalls.
Participants in rallies both in Rochester and Buffalo include TPE Chair Amy Kremer, former GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, TEA New York organizer Rus Thompson and Primary Challenge founder Leonard Roberto.
-- Corwin has already put $1.96 million of her own money into her campaign, and as the race enters its final days, she's not ruling out putting in more if necessary. "We're going to see how it goes, but the important thing is to be able to get my message out and understand what I truly stand for," Corwin told Hotline On Call in an interview today. "My husband and I always planned on putting money in the race because I think it's important for people to understand this is a commitment from me." -- The NRCC is also devoting more resources to the race, upping their ad buy that begins Monday to $400,000 across the district, according to a Republican source. That's nearly $135,000 more than what was initially announced Thursday. -- MoveOn.org has also stepped into the race, sending out a fundraising email for the Working Families Party in support of Democrat Kathy Hochul's campaign. They're enthusiastic about the race for the reason as national and local Democrats' - Medicare. "A win here will send shock waves through the Washington establishment. It'll put Republicans on the defensive and slow their attacks on the middle class. And it'll embolden Democrats to stand up and fight. Winning here may be the best way to save Medicare," the email said. "Our allies at the Working Families Party are running a massive on-the-ground campaign that could swing the election. But after Karl Rove'scorporate front group dumped $650,000 into the race this week, grassroots efforts are even more important - and they need help from progressives nationwide." -- New York Gov.Andrew Cuomo (D) sidestepped a question earlier this month about his support for Hochul, but on Friday he did confirm his backing for the Democrat, but stopped short of saying what he would be doing to help her, YNN's Liz Benjamin reports. "I obviously support Kathy 100 percent and however the campaign wants me to help it would be my pleasure," said Cuomo. "I'd rather do it the way the campaign wants me to do it. However, I can be helpful I will and I'll leave it to her and the campaign to make that decision."
http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2011/05/ny-26-afternoon-tidbits-13