Despite Political Atmosphere, Even Modest Gain Remains Big Push For Assembly GOP
Posted by Brooklyn Young Republican Club
Source: Andrew J. Hawkins / The Capitol
When Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb took over from Jim Tedisco over a year ago, he said his goal was to run competitively in all 102 districts held by Democrats. And if he was ever going to pull it off, this would be the year to do it.
Voter anger at incumbents is at an all-time high, especially toward Democrats, who control all three braches of government. Republicans made significant gains last year in key swing counties like Westchester and Nassau. And the Assembly minority won three out of four February special elections, two of them flipping seats that were previously held by Democrats.
Conditions are just right for a strong Republican showing in the Assembly this year. Even Republican State Chair Ed Cox seems to think so, when he alleged on air that Speaker Sheldon Silver was anticipating losing as many as 25 seats in November.
So naturally, as election season begins to heat up, the Assembly Republicans are seeking to tamp down expectations, knowing that if they cannot hit that mark, their minority status will likely be permanent.
“If we get to 52, 53 or higher, that’s going to be great,” Kolb said of his current 42-member conference.
