Primary elections may be key to NY equality

[racaulk]

I am not particularly receptive to the argument that a representative can be excused at times for voting in a way that might not reflect their own views, but which is required to keep their seat. I think that equality is worth defending even if it requires personal sacrifice.

However, I have nothing but contempt for those who elect to endorse discrimination and bias even when there is no downside to siding with decency and equality.

And of the eight Democrats who voted to deny equal civil rights to their fellow New Yorkers, five were elected in 2008 with no organized opposition in the general election. They were either unopposed, or had only a token Republican opponent who received but a tiny percentage of the votes:

32nd • Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx)
10th • Shirley Huntley (D-Queens)
27th • Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn)
13th • Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens)
12th • George Onorato (D-Queens)

These are definitely not elected officials who secretly support us but were fearful of Republicans using that support against us. No, these Senators voted against our equality because they believe that we are inferior to them and that we don’t deserve the same rights that they enjoy.

<---snip--->

Link: http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/12/02/17152
_________________________

In addition to the Democratic state Senators listed in this article, I think it would be interesting to see which of the 30 (!!!) Republicans that voted "No" today won by narrow percentages in the last election. It would be worth it to support and help fund a Democratic opponent (hopefully, one that is pro-equality, though that is clearly not guaranteed) to face them when they are next up for reelection.