Though Tom Golisano has insisted that no decisions have yet been made about which candidates he will support with massive infusions of cash, several races seem to have already very much caught his eye. And some are far from his A source close to the maverick billionaire and former gubernatorial candidate confirmed that Golisano is closely looking at backing several Senate candidates and sitting senators—including at least one Republican incumbent—in some of the state’s most competitive races.
The source confirmed that Golisano has apparently not given any serious consideration to opposing Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), and neither he nor his staff has been in contact with the campaigns of challengers Paul Newell and Luke Henry. The billionaire has been focusing his attention on Senate races, except for the Hoyt/Kavanaugh battle, but will analyze other Assembly races for both the primary and general elections.
But there will likely be many, many more.
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The source said that Golisano is interested in having an impact in state legislative races in the five boroughs and
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But Golisano will not get involved with the primary challenge to State Sen. Martin Connor. Golisano has a long standing relationship Connor dating back to when Connor served as the election attorney during the billionaire’s third gubernatorial race in 2002, and will not be backing Connor’s primary challenger, former Schumer side Dan Squadron.
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Golisano will be looking closely at the other
The source said that no timetable has been decided for making endorsements, but that the billionaire wants to make an impact on behalf of his chosen candidates in the primary election. Golisano will be mailing questionnaires to all legislative candidates in the state shortly to gauge their views on the reform and good government issues he announced at his
Golisano is leaning towards backing State Sen. Jim Seward (R-Oneonta) said the source. Seward is locked in a surprisingly competitive reelection battle with Caroline Town Supervisor Don Barber (D), in what Senate Democratic insiders describe as the top second tier targeted race on their side.
The source said Golisano is in the process of setting up a statewide organization and is planning to interview consultants and pollsters to work with his effort. His $5 million contribution from last week is only a start in his monetary effort. For the candidates he backs, the source said Golisano is planning television and radio advertisements, newspaper ads and mailers.
