Valesky has made right decisions for district, state

During a trip to Albany Tuesday, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, a former co-chair of the state Democratic Party, maintained her support for Independent Democratic Conference Sen. David Valesky, whom she endorsed Monday.

“I think you’ve seen Dave Valesky make the right decisions for his senate district and make the right decisions for the state,” she said. “Who he chooses to caucus with, I know he makes that decision based on where he thinks he can be the best advocate.”

Valesky faces a possible Democratic primary challenger in former Syracuse city councilman Pat Hogan. Hogan has not yet declared his intentions to run but told the Post-Standard last week that people in the community suggested he run following reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo and downstate Democrats were looking for someone to primary Valesky.

Speculation about more primary challenges to IDC members has heated up since Cuomo was endorsed by the Working Families Party, and he said he would push for a Democratic takeover of the Senate and was critical of the majority coalition. Cuomo elaborated on his takeover push Monday, saying talk is about reunification next year after this fall’s elections, not this year.

When asked about calls for a reunification of Democrats, Miner, who has butted heads with Cuomo in the past and stepped down from co-chairing the state Democratic Party earlier this year, acknowledged her relationships with those on the lift but said party labels aren’t the end of the discussion.

“I’m a Democrat, and I have good relationships with Democrats, I have good relationships with the Working Families Party,” she said. “But also as somebody who governs, I understand that that’s not the end of the discussion. Your party label is not the end of the discussion. When it comes to governing, that’s the first question answered, then you’ve got to continue to answer others, too. Who can help me get resources to the people I represent?”