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Reform Troops Head Upstate

What will Bill Samuels and his New Roosevelt Initiative political action group do now that they’ve reached their goal of defeating Pedro Espada in the 33rd Senate District?

According to a press release, they’re taking their show on the road—and bringing Gustavo Rivera with them—to throw support behind Mary Wilmot, a Democratic candidate running for State Senate in Rochester against a Republican incumbent.

The most-likely-to-be-elected Rivera was in Rochester today to officially endorse Wilmot, who, in turn, had endorsed him against Espada back in August. Rivera, who is all but assured a victory in the general election in his heavily Democratic district, said in an interview after his primary victory that his priority now is helping make sure Democrats retain majority control in Albany. They currently hold a 32-30 majority.

Samuels, a wealthy businessman and former candidate for lieutenant governor, founded the New Roosevelt Initiative this year to change Albany, he says, by helping to elect more “reform-minded candidates.”  His group spent much of the summer campaigning in the Bronx against Espada, handing out leaflets, knocking on doors and pledging $250,000 to see Rivera on the ballot instead.

NRI said the group’s next move is to help get more women elected to the legislature. The general election will be on Tuesday, Nov. 2. 
 

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