Endorsed
Breaking with precedent, Eleanor's Legacy has provided early endorsements and start-up grants to 9 candidates for the State Senate.
Update: We at Eleanor's Legacy regret that Regina Calcaterra had to bow out of her race to challenge anti-choice Republican incumbent Sen. Ken LaValle. Regina had organized a strong campaign and was committed to serving the people of Suffolk County. We welcome the opportunity to support Regina again in the future.
Cynthia Appleton, SD 59/Erie, Wyoming, Livingston, & Ontario Counties
Resident of: Warsaw
Opponent: Open Seat (Sen. Dale Volker is not seeking re-election)
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice (rating of outgoing Sen. Volker)
Her experience includes a 35-year career as a nurse, 3-term Warsaw Village Trustee, and being an award-winning director and actor in local theater productions. She dedicated to helping reform New York State.
Didi Barrett, SD 41/ Dutchess & Columbia Counties
Resident of: Millbrook
Opponent: Sen. Steve Saland
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She would be the first Democrat representing the 41st District since FDR. She is an experienced leader of non-profit organizations that provide services and advocacy on behalf of women, children, and families. Previously she was a journalist for The New York Times and Boston Globe, examining issues of parenting, the elderly and women entrepreneurs.
Carol Gordon, SD 8/Nassau & Suffolk Counties
Resident of: Massapequa
Opponent: Sen. Charles Fuschillo
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She believes in empowerment through education and information. In the past 30 years she dedicated herself to community and volunteer services in Massapequa. She served U.S. veterans for 25 years as Mental Health Clinic Manager and Patient Advocate at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Kathleen Joy, SD 50/Onondaga County
Resident of: Syracuse
Opponent: Sen. John DeFrancisco
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She is the Majority Leader of the Syracuse Common Council. She has sponsored legislation promoting green infrastructure in the City of Syracuse and initiating housing programs that have been accepted by the City administration.
Pam Mackesey, SD 53/Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, Yates, & Tompkins Counties
Resident of: Ithaca
Opponent: Open Seat (Sen. George Winner is not seeking re-election)
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Mixed (ranking of outgoing Sen. Winner)
She has been a union organizer and school teacher and is currently serving her 2nd term ont he Tompkins County Legislature. She sits on the Facilities and Infrastructure and Budget Committees, chairs the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, and spent six years on Ithaca's Common Council.
Susan Savage, SD 44/Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady, & Saratoga Counties
Resident of: Niskayuna
Opponent: Sen. Hugh Farley
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She has chaired the Schenectady County Legislature since 2004. Since then she has restructured county economic development and fostered cooperation between county and local government.
Mary Wilmot, SD 55/Monroe County
Resident of: Pittsford
Opponent: Sen. Jim Alesi
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She has a background of service assiciated with District 55. She worked as Regional Director for the governor and the New York State Senate and has considerable knowledge of the challeges Upstate New York faces.She is committed to revitalizing the upstate community job markets and will share her passion for the environment with the Senate.
Robin Wilt, SD 56/Monroe County
Resident of: Rochester
Oppopnent: Sen. Joe Robach
Opponent's NARAL Rating: Anti-Choice
She co-founded the Genesee Valley Chapter of Progressive Democrats of America, a grassroots organization dedicated to working inside and outside the Democratic party to advance progressive causes.
Joanne Yepsen, SD 43/Rensselaer & Saratoga Counties
Resident of: Saratoga Springs
Opponent: Sen. Roy McDonald Opponent's NARAL Rating: Mixed
She is a business owner with 25 years of successful strategic planning and fiscal management. she is committed to a bipartisan legislative process and has been re-elected County Supervisor three times on a proven record of integrity that focuses on the issues and needs of the individuals, families and businesses.
Winter 2010 Grant Recipients
2009 Candidates
2008 Candidates
Suffolk
Bridget Fleming, Town Board, Southampton
Lauren Thoden, State Assembly, Third District
Click here to view the 2009 Candidates
Click here to view the 2008 Candidates