Gearing Up for 2013

It's never too early to prepare for tomorrow's battles.

2013's races may not have all the glamour of those in a Presidential election year, but that doesn't mean there aren't some important offices up for grabs.

Topping off the ticket here in Broome County will be the race for Binghamton City Mayor.  Current office-holder Matt Ryan will be term-limited next year leaving the race without an incumbent.  With neither party set to hold the incumbency card, local officials are gearing up for what's sure to be a close and heated race.

The Broome County Clerk will be facing re-election as well as the Johnson City Mayor's office.

For a complete listing of Broome County office terms that will expire in 2013, click here.

Local Candidates Unaffected by Obama Enthusiasm

While the man at the top of the GOP ticket may have walked away without a win, it was otherwise a night full of victory speeches for our Broome GOP candidates.

Sure to be at the top of everyone's mind, Debbie Preston's vivacious victory speech gave the crowd quite a thrill.  After a long campaign against challenger Tarik Abdelazim, who insisted on setting a negative tone from the start, the humor-filled speech was a welcome relief.

Senator Libous was on hand too to celebrate his victory against second-time challenger John Orzel.  Keeping true to his wife, Fran's, "break a leg" request, he made his acceptance speech crutch-bound after a slight accident days earlier.

The Broome Legislature's GOP Majority strengthened their previous gains with several wins across the board, notably with Scott Baker's upset over incumbent Steve Herz.

Congratulations are also in order for Rep. Richard Hanna who bested longtime Hinchey affiliate Dan Lamb as well as Rose Sotak, who held on to the Town of Union Supervisor's office against five-time office holder Jack Cheevers.

Preview: Election Night In Downtown Binghamton

Mark your calendars!

The Broome County GOP is planning to do Election Night (11/6) the right way at the Downtown Binghamton Holiday Inn Arena.

Starting at 8:00 PM, Wild 104's Louie G will spin some classic sounds as guests watch national and local returns come in on mega-sized screens while enjoying snacks and a mixed open and cash bar.

Stay tuned for more details!

Chairman Dave Gets Tough on NYS Assembly's "Culture of Perversion"

Broome County GOP Chairman Dave Hamlin pulled no punches in critiquing Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo's handling of the "culture of perversion" scandal rocking the State Assembly.

The controversy revolves around the use of over $100,000 in taxpayer money being used by Assembly Speaker Sheldon "Shelly" Silver to keep victims of Assemblyman Vito Lopez's sexual harassment escapades from going public.

Many Democrat politicians, like Ms. Lupardo, have been shy about speaking out against fellow Democrat Sheldon Silver.

But that's not the way we do things here in Broome County.  If you're not shy about speaking out against the "culture of perversion" against women in Albany, click below to make your voice heard:

http://www.fireshelly.com/#!home/mainPage

Don't Forget Thursday 9/13 is State & Local Primary Day!

Don't forget that Thursday, September 13 is State & Local Primary Day in New York State!

Visit the Broome County Board of Elections website for details like polling locations and who'll be on the ballot this time around.

Abdelazim's Campaign Defiant Over Repeated Election Law Breaches

GOP Chair Dave Hamlin recently laid out a scathing break-down of the repeated violations in local and State election law committed by the Abdelazim campaign.

From ignoring local regulations on lawn sign placement, to holding illegal fundraisers and hiding campaign expenditures, one thing's clear: "...Abdelazim either doesn't understand the law, or won't follow the law."

We're not sure which is worse...

Numbers Don't Lie: Obama's Presidency

During the midst of election season, it can be hard to sift through all the hype and get to the facts.

So we thought we'd share this by-the-numbers breakdown of Obama's first term, before and after.

Decide for yourself how you think the last four years have gone...

"You Didn't Build That!"

President Obama's assertion in a recent speech that the "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" value-system America was founded on is, in fact, a fallacy has caused quite an uproar.  And the national GOP is going to make sure he, and the American public, is reminded of that.

Petition: Accomplished

The State deadline for filing petitions might be right around the corner but our volunteers were way ahead of the game this year, filing hundreds more petitions than the minimum requirement well before the deadline.

Over 100 volunteers celebrated at the "Broome GOP Petition Hand-In Party" at the Southside's Relief Pitcher last week.  Thanks for all your hard work!

Don't Miss Out On The June 26th Federal Primary!

While this year's presidential primary stole much of the show, next up is June 26th's federal primary to decide who'll challenge Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate.

The candidates are (left to right from the picture above) Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, Manhattan Lawyer Wendy Long and Congressman Bob Turner, who shocked Democrats last year by wresting control of disgraced-Congressman Anthony Wiener's NYC seat.

And let's not forget about the 22nd Congressional District where Congressman Richard Hanna is facing a challenge from Michael J. Kicinski, Sr., of Earlville, NY.

Not sure where to vote?  Visit Broome County's Board of Elections website for details on voting locations!

Julie Lewis Takes On Donna Lupardo

Broome County Legislator Julie Lewis is gearing up to take on Donna Lupardo for a chance to represent the 123rd New York State Assembly District.


In addition to representing District 6 in the Broome County Legislature, where she's Chair of
the Public Health and Environment Committee, a member of the Human Services Committee and
the Finance Committee, Julie is a small business owner who runs Julie Lewis Photography.  She's also a substitute teacher with Johnson City Schools and has served as a Crew Chief for the Vestal Volunteer Emergency Squad, among many other community pursuits.

A mother of six, she resides with her husband of 20 years, Mark, in their old family farmhouse in Vestal Center.

2012 Summer Petitions Deadlines

Petition season will soon be upon us!  But before putting on sunscreen and grabbing your clipboard, make sure you're on top of the start dates and deadlines for passing petitions.  Click the link below to get a look at New York State Board of Elections' full 2012 Political Calendar:

http://i.imgur.com/8N1P6.jpg

Youth Gearing-Up For Fight Against Obama

With over a quarter-million nation-wide swelling its ranks, membership in the College Republicans is currently the largest it's ever been in the organization's 121-year history.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?

One thing that's great about our nation is that the legacy of someone like Abraham Lincoln can mean something to a great deal of people in many different ways.

Off To A Great Start in '12!

This year's change to an earlier petitioning schedule had many local parties around the State worried, but we knew all along our volunteers would be up the task!

Congrats To Our Neighbors On Their Nuptials!

Congratulations go to our neighbor, Tioga County Republican Chair Don Leonard, on his recent marriage to Bulan Ratchata from Ban Phai in Thailand.  

Barack's Debt Game

It's only taken three years and two months for President Obama to rack up as much debt as President George W. Bush did in two whole terms (that's eight years!).  Hopefully, we'll elect a President we can afford when November rolls around!

A New Brand for the Broome GOP

Broome Republican Chair Dave Hamlin would like to thank the Vibrant Creative team, along with Michelle Duffy, for all their hard work re-branding the Broome GOP!

New Broome GOP Events Calendar: Tell Us About Your Events!

The new Broome GOP website has a great new "What's New" section that lets you share and promote your event online!

Debbie Preston off to Fast Start with Pay Cuts, Signs Down, Tuesday Office Hours, Credit Cards Taken Away & Whistleblower Hotline

The energy that propelled former Broome GOP Chair Debbie Preston into re-taking the County Executive's office last November is stronger than ever!  That energy, of course, comes from all our hard-working volunteers that make the Broome GOP one of our community's best assets.

'12 Lincoln Day Dinner Huge Success with 300+ Guests Enjoying Hawaiian Music and Food, Awards and Comedy Performance

This year's Lincoln Day Dinner showed that, more than ever, the Broome GOP is ready to get serious when November rolls around!