Why The GOP Will Win

This past fall Republicans swept local offices everywhere outside New York City, including electing seven county executives in the suburbs and across upstate, voting into office a new mayor of Binghamton, taking control of the Erie County Legislature despite being outnumbered 3-to-1 in registrations, and overcoming a Democrat enrollment advantage to win a supermajority for the first time in the Chautauqua County Legislature. 

The ebb and tide of political party success in local elections often is a harbinger of the following November state election results. Case in point: In 2009 Republicans across the state fared very well in local elections, and in 2010 the GOP took back the state Senate majority. The 2013 local elections outcomes for Republicans were even greater than those successes of 2009, building momentum so that Republicans will gain Senate seats this November. You only have to compare and contrast records to understand whom the voters will prefer. 

Senate Democrats are synonymous with dysfunction, and no one wants to go back to the chaos of 2009–10 when they were in power. Their $14 billion out-of-control tax-and-spending binge severely hurt the state’s economy, and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers lost their jobs. They burdened families and employers with an incredible 124 new taxes and fees, including the MTA payroll tax and 18-a energy tax, which drove up everyone’s utilities costs when people could least afford it. Their suffocating, out-of-control tax hikes, on everything from health insurance policies to property taxes by taking away STAR rebate checks, hit New York families and seniors hard when they were struggling just to make ends meet. 

The Senate Democrats’ wild, irresponsible spending dug a deep fiscal hole that put the state’s financial footing on the brink of disaster. Their gap elimination adjustment has caused our public schools to lose billions of dollars of state aid, resulting in countless teachers being laid off and students being shortchanged. 

Contrast the Senate Democrats’ record with Senate Republicans’ results since 2011. Since we have been back in charge, state government is working again, with responsible and on-time budgets, people getting back to work, the property tax cap and middle class income tax reduction giving our hardworking, overburdened taxpayers much needed relief, and school aid being restored so our kids can achieve. 

The key to electoral success is recruiting excellent candidates, and very shortly our contenders will be announced. These community leaders have accomplished records of professional achievements and compassionate caring in their neighborhoods and regions. 

Our candidates have raised money to give hope to people suffering from debilitating diseases. They have held the hands of children with cancer and given them their smiles back. They have initiated workforce training so that disadvantaged youth can have the promise of good-paying jobs. They have reached out to give comfort and support to families devastated by natural disasters. Our candidates are charismatic leaders who work hard and have what it takes to be successful. They will deliver our Senate Republican message of empowering all New Yorkers and creating opportunities. 

Whether people come from small towns, suburbs or big cities, millions of New Yorkers share common goals and aspirations. Senate Republicans understand and work for what people want. People want safe, secure, healthy communities. They want a strong, vibrant economy—with thousands of new job opportunities that hold the promise of a brighter future. Parents want outstanding local schools that truly prepare our children for success—and families want young New Yorkers to have an affordable path to a college education. Everyone wants clean air and water, beautiful parks and green, wide-open spaces. People want a New York where women are guaranteed the same rights and opportunities as men. Protecting women’s health is a top priority, and discrimination, violence and abuse are not tolerated. Voters want a government that is responsible, affordable and accountable, that actually helps New Yorkers achieve their dreams. 

Those are our Senate Republican priorities. And those will be our candidates’ priorities. I look forward to great success in 2014.