Brooks picks up support of Jennings

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Congressional hopeful Tracey Brooks picked up a key political endorsement Monday from Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, giving her a strategic edge in the closely contested race for the 21st District, one political official said.

Jennings’ endorsement gives Brooks, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, access to his supporters, political base and fundraising sources, said Charles Diamond, a member of U.S. Rep. Michael McNulty’s staff. “[Jennings] has a strong base of support and will be a tremendous asset for Tracey, financially and politically,” Diamond said.

Albany County contains more than 55 percent of the district’s voters. The rest are scattered in the remainder of the district, which consists of all of Schenectady, Schoharie and Montgomery counties and portions of Rensselaer, Fulton and Saratoga counties.

Jennings said he is supporting Brooks “because she has the best combination of experience working in the district, grass-roots work in the community and knowledge of the issues most important to us in the City of Albany and the Capital Region.”

Jennings at one time was mentioned as a candidate for McNulty’s seat, along with Albany County Executive Michael Breslin and state Sen. Neal Breslin of Albany.

McNulty, D-Green Island, announced last October he would retire in January year after serving 20 years in Congress. The district has been held by a Democrat for 50 years and is considered a safe seat.

Brooks also picked up endorsements from McNulty’s father, Jack McNulty, former mayor of Green Island; and from McNulty’s sister, Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty Ryan.

Diamond called these endorsements important as well, but added they do not imply Congressmen McNulty himself supports Brooks’ candidacy. “They are independent and have minds of their own and did not consult with Mike prior to their announcements,” he said.

Diamond said Rep. McNulty does not plan to endorse a candidate, at least not until after the expected Democratic primary this summer.

At least one Democratic county chairman downplayed Jennings’ endorsement.

“Jennings always does contrarian things,” said Brian Quail, chairman of the Schenectady County Democratic Committee. “He endorsed George Pataki for re-election. Anyone who endorses Pataki is entitled to no credence with respect to their endorsements.” Jennings endorsed then-Republican incumbent Gov. Pataki in 2002 when he beat Democrat H. Carl McCall.

The Schenectady Committee, like other county political committees in the congressional district, has yet to endorse a candidate. Some may not endorse until after the primary. And some, like Schenectady, are waiting for all the candidates to announce.

Quail said the Schenectady committee is waiting for Democrat Paul Tonko, former assemblyman for the 105th District, to enter the race. “Many organizations are holding off until they learn whether Tonko enters the race,” he said.

Quail is certain Tonko will enter the race; Tonko said he is seriously considering a bid. “When Paul gets into the field, he will remain the only top-tier candidate in race,” he said.

Carrie James, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C., said her committee has not spoken with Tonko about running for the seat. “He would make a great a candidate if choose to do it,” she said. The DCCC supports Democratic candidates for the House of Representatives.

Brooks is one of five announced Democratic candidates. The others are Lester Freeman, the city of Albany’s Equal Employment Opportunity officer; Gary Mittleman, former Plug Power CEO; Darius Shahinfar, 41, an Albany attorney and former Kirsten Gillibrand aide; and Phil Steck, Colonie Democratic chairman.

James Buhrmaster, a Schenectady County legislator, said he may seek the seek seat on the Republican ticket.