Roy McDonald stops his campaign
In a statement today Roy McDonald announced that he will not "actively campaign" in the upcoming general election for the state Senate 43rd.
As you know, the incumbent state Senator from Saratoga County lost the Republican primary to Kathy Marchione -- the election came to down to absentee ballots, and McDonald came up about 100 votes short. McDonald could have continued in the general election on the Independence Party line. [State of Politics] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
From McDonald's statement:
Moving forward, I will be supporting all Republican candidates - including Kathy Marchione - in the General Election, because I believe maintaining the Republican Majority in the New York State Senate will continue to positively change state government. It is important to recognize the need for checks and balances in our democracy, which can only be assured by a multi-party system.
Marchione's challenge of McDonald was prompted by the senator's vote in favor of the Marriage Equality Act. Of the four Republican state senators who voted for the act, two survived primary challenges, another chose not to run, and McDonald lost. He didn't mention the vote in his statement.
Even so, McDonald will be remembered for that vote on the historic legislation -- and his awesomely non-politician statement that preceded it:
"You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn't black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing.
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f--- it, I don't care what you think. I'm trying to do the right thing.
"I'm tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I'm trying to do the right thing, and that's where I'm going with this."
His vote and statement made him a temporary viral star online and won him a relative avalanche of campaign funding. [AOA] [NYDN] [AOA]
Marchione used the vote -- and subsequent support -- against McDonald in this race. Sample line from their debate: "when [McDonald] broke his promise to defend traditional marriage, he insulted those who disagreed with him with vulgarity." (Other accumulated resentments also seemed to catch up with the senator.) [TU CapCon] [Capital]
McDonald didn't back away from the vote. As he explained to NYT this month: "I'm in the party of Abraham Lincoln -- I'm very proud of that ... I'm not in a party of a bunch of right-wing nitwits. It's Abraham Lincoln. It's everybody's included. And I feel that's very important." [NYT]
Marchione, who's the Saratoga County clerk, faces Democrat Robin Andrews in the general election. Andrews is the town supervisor for Claverack in Columbia County. She also happens to be a lesbian. Andrews married her longtime partner last year after the Marriage Equality Act took effect.
photo: Roy McDonald Facebook
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Comments
Damn. That sucks.
... said Jessica R on Sep 27, 2012 at 1:30 PM | link
It's a sad day when a conservative steps up and supports a fundamentally conservative value of entering a binding, lasting relationship with the one you love and loses because of that support.
Did Senator McDonald change his mind? Yes, but he changed it away from something he didn't believe in. He didn't believe that same-sex couples deserve to be treated differently. He believed that they have the same rights as heterosexual couples do: the right to get married and attain all the rights and privileges that entails. His initial vote against was the political vote, and the one he lost sleep over.
I hope the Democrats and Independents who couldn't vote for McDonald in the primary, and believed in his vote, will step up and vote for Robin Andrews. It's the least we could do to show we respect McDonald's courage.
... said AddiesDad on Sep 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM | link
I'm less bothered that McDonald lost because he changed his mind on an issue his constituents cared about than I am by the fact that some hack is now a legitimate candidate and potential State Senator simply for exploiting the issue.
... said Jay on Sep 27, 2012 at 2:48 PM | link
As a Democrat, I planned to vote for McDonald in the general election and also to support him financially. He could have run as an independent and still caucus with the Republicans.
Roy McDonald changed his mind before on an important issue. Maybe he'll change his mind on this one.
... said Otis Maxwell on Sep 27, 2012 at 3:57 PM | link
First big mistake by Cuomo's political people? Doesn't look so good when you offer your full support a few hours before the guy drops out. Where was your support when he needed it?
Perhaps all the Hillary 2016 stories got them off their game? Three terms in Albany to wait for a shot at DC probably seems like a prison sentence for all those egomaniacs.
... said Code Monkey on Sep 27, 2012 at 5:29 PM | link
It seems there isn't any room for moderate Republicans even in New York. :(
... said Rob on Sep 27, 2012 at 5:41 PM | link
"I hope the Democrats and Independents who couldn't vote for McDonald in the primary, and believed in his vote, will step up and vote for Robin Andrews. It's the least we could do to show we respect McDonald's courage."
Ummm, he's stepping out and endorsing the Republican. I don't think that translates to "voting for the Democrat shows respect for him".
... said Gewo on Sep 27, 2012 at 10:32 PM | link
Ug. Marchione is just another soulless, ignorant clown that will help sink this state further into the abyss.
... said jamband on Sep 27, 2012 at 10:50 PM | link
In spite of all the bluster from the anti-civil rights brigade, same-sex marriage is still the law in New York state.
... said Bob on Sep 28, 2012 at 10:04 AM | link
He may have been more successful in the regular election than the primary. There are a lot of people who describe themselves as "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" that might have voted for him. I know that he was going to get my vote, Marchione certainly won't.
... said Rachel on Sep 28, 2012 at 11:20 AM | link
So the only reason he faced an opponent was because of this? That doesn't quite seem to add up. I think everyone's jumping to a pretty quick conclusion there.
... said Lucas on Sep 28, 2012 at 3:36 PM | link
Way to show your stripes people of 43rd district.
You'd rather elect an out of touch beaurocrat over the rare straight-talking politician with some conviction and compassion for others.
Maybe if you all keep your eyes closed and wish hard enough it WILL be 1950 again. Where adults, especially politicians, never used the 'F'-word! Then you can pretend none of those annoying civil rights laws exist either. What a wonderful world .. of baloney.
I suppose this was just the Rep's primary so no surprise.
We'll see how the general election goes.
... said bigJoe on Sep 29, 2012 at 11:45 AM | link