http://www.timesunion.com It's Assemblyman Amedore "Extreme Makeover" builder offers message of change in GOP win
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Republican George Amedore Jr.'s victory Tuesday over Edward Kosiur ends at least two dozen years of Democratic dominance over the Assembly seat representing Montgomery and Schenectady counties.
Unofficial results show Amedore, 38, outpolled Kosiur, 51, a Schenectady County legislator, in both counties by a total of about 2,800 votes. Amedore led Kosiur by 13,666 to 10,855.
Absentee ballots won't make a difference: About 1,450 were sent out in the two counties. Turnout was about 31 percent.
"I'm not supposed to be standing here," Amedore said at the JG Roman Villa Restaurant in Rotterdam, expressing surprise over a victory in his first campaign for public office. "What I plan on doing is to roll up my sleeves, get my hands dirty and serve the people," he continued to applause.
Amedore will take oaths today in Schenectady and Montgomery counties. A formal swearing-in ceremony is Thursday at the state Capitol.
The Rotterdam resident became a household name in the Capital Region earlier this year when his company built a home for a Colonie family as part of the season finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
Politically, Amedore built enough of a base -- in a campaign of only a few weeks -- to take the seat held for 24 years by Democrat Paul Tonko of Amsterdam. Tonko stepped down to lead the New York State Energy Research Development Authority in June, forcing the special election.
Recruited to run by Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, who represents part of Schenectady, Amedore parlayed his national television appearance into a candidacy, though he will be a minority Republican in an Assembly controlled by Democrats. Tedisco lauded Amedore as a "natural public servant," adding "he's there because he wants to serve the people and he cares."
Without a record to run on, Amedore, almost on a daily basis, unveiled initiatives to deal with everything from convicted sexual predators to senior citizens issues.
His message was particularly resonant in Montgomery County, which comprises the western half of the district. After promising an "economic makeover" there, Amedore won by a margin of 17 percent compared to 7.7 percent in Schenectady County.
Kosiur did not immediately return a call for comment.
Brian Quail, Schenectady County Democratic Party chairman, said Amedore's tax-cutting message was simplistic.
"The people have spoken. George Amedore has promised a bill of goods he can't deliver, and we'll remind the people of that over and over again."
At the polls, feelings were mixed.
At Schenectady City Hall, Vernon Bhagwandin, 50, said he was voting for Kosiur, noting that Kosiur promised to bring more jobs to the area.
"He promised to lower taxes and help working families and lower health care costs," said Bhagwandin, a clerk for an insurance company and a married father of five from Guyana.
Heather Wilson, 37, a Schenectady resident, said Amedore is not political. "He's a fresh face with fresh ideas and somebody who's not connected," Wilson said.
Lorenzo Williams, 66, of Schenectady, voted for Kosiur.
"(Amedore) is making promises that he can't do. He's talking about making tolls free -- sounds good but he can't do it. He's one person and you've got to work with other people," he said. The seat covers all of Montgomery County and the Schenectady County towns of Rotterdam, Duanesburg, Princetown and part of the city of Schenectady.
Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
Interesting that the 105th district isn't even important enough to the Times Union to get a full front page story. It was just mentioned in the left column, with a picture, and pushed back to page A8? Come on, I know that the TU endorsed Kosiur (which I don't know why ANY media is endorsing ANY candidate), but it's still a major story, should get more than a 3 inch spot in the side of the page. Should get much more like what the Gazette gave.
Well, it's time for Mr. Amedore to get to work now. Look forward to you getting something done, George.
This was a major win for the reps. And even though the assembly is still heavily democrat, it appears that the people have spoken. We are sick and tired of the high taxes, the government programs and the rediculous sex offender law all of which was backed by the democrats. Ed Kosiur was clearly NOT the person for this job. His campaign promises were clearly not to benefit 'me'! And he clearly comes from the 'city' where taxes and crime and metorplex and their police department are out of control. ANYONE from THAT democratic machine would surely NOT get a vote from me. Their past performance is proof enough.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Here's a copy of an e-mail that I just sent ot the opinion section of the TU, directly to the reporter, and to the "Reader Representative" at the Times Union.
Quoted Text
Thanks for not doing any research...again.
I realize this won't get published, as it calls to account this newspaper's slanted views, but here it goes...
It seems that many times, with things that especially include Schenectady county in general, the Times Union refuses to do it's due diligence in actually looking into a story before sending it to the press. I read the article titled "It's Assemblyman Amedore" today in the Times Union, buried on page A8.
First of all, I thought that the media was supposed to be fair and balanced. You know, in the federal House and Senate, they want to renew the "Fairness Doctrine," which goes against everything that the free market stands for. How is it "fair and balanced" when the Times Union actually endorses a candidate? Report the news, don't get involved in it.
Second, shouldn't a largely contested race in a special election, which we have had much hype for over the past 30 days receive more than just a small note on the front page, then the rest of the story buried in the middle of the section?
And finally, does Mr. Nelson and The Times Union not own a map of Schenectady County? I'm sure that we can get one to them rather quickly. While you wanted to list the towns and villages that Mr. Amedore would now be representing, you must realize that you cannot just look at the names of the voting districts to get this information. I would be appalled reading your article for half of the towns in the western part of Schenectady County.
Do the people of Mariaville, Rotterdam Junction and Pattersonville mean nothing? These people just seem to be non-existent as far as your review of the people that Mr. Amedore will now be representing and may just be part of the reason, if not the exact reason, that Mr. Kosiur could not come within even 2,500 votes of the seat.
Kevin March Rotterdam, NY feel free to use my e-mail address.
Ok Bk...we will have to watch the TU to see if they print your column. For those who don't subscribe or buy the TU...they are on line where we can check daily. http://www.timesunion.com
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Republican George Amedore, Jr., said he won the Assembly seat and beat Schenectady County Legislator, Ed Kosiur, by having big ideas - proposals that a crowd of about 50 people seemed to like as they clapped for Amedore, Jr. when he arrived to speak about his plans that include "introducing legislation to put a cap on property taxes."
It's one of many promises we've heard from the businessman who hopes to build a record of conservative change at the Capitol.
"We need to bring reform, some accountability, take out some of the inefficiencies of government," said Amedore, Jr.
All this has led Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco to say the win is a good sign for Republicans in general: "we could have hired that guy to say it - a huuuuuge win for this conference. Nothing bigger since I was elected since I can remember in 25 years."
But the question now becomes - can Amedore deliver?
"Timing is everything," said poliyical analyst Helen Desfosses. "He only has a few months before the election in 2008." Alright - it's over a year before that election - but campaigns last even longer most times.
Desfosses said Amedore has his work cut out for him. In addition to the limited term, he's also outnumbered as part of the Republican minority which can mean it'll be harder to get his legislation passed - never mind getting re-elected during a Presidential election. "It may be a very strong Democrat from New York State (at the top of the ticket)," said Desfosses. "But the bottom line is a very strong pull of Democratic voters out to the polls in November of 2008."
Ask Amedore what he can accomplish given the uphill battle - he says all he can do is stay realistic. "Do I expect everyone of my plans and initiatives that I set forth on the campaign trail to be instituted or put into law in a year? I mean, come on, this is New York State, ok. Things don't happen that quickly. I'm willing to work hard to get some of them going."
And either way, the 2008 campaign has already begun. Ed Kosiur wants a rematch - a rematch that will likely very much depend on how much Amedore, Jr. can get done in very little time.
For some voters, like Denise Blackford, it was the promise to change Albany's culture.
"I like the fact he's not a politician. He's a regular everyday guy," she said.
Others said it was his pledge against taxes -- and a handsome smile helped too.
"He's a young fellow and he has lots of things he said he would do for our community and our state," Patricia Smith said.
This community has been represented by State Assemblyman Paul Tonko for more than two decades. A well liked Democrat, he endorsed Amedore's opponent--Ed Kosiur. Perhaps Kosiur too heavily relied on that.
"Paul is very highly respected in this district but he's seen as a Montgomery county guy. Kosiur is a Schenectady county guy and I don't think the coat tail effect worked because they're from two different counties," Nick Zabawski said.
Or maybe voters were just struck by the energy Amedore brought to the campaign trail.
"I couldn't believe all those signs. I thought here's this man who didn't have the political backing and finances to really have a huge campaign and then all of a sudden it's hey...we're having a huge campaign," Karen Bliss-Reid said.
Signs along the street, along with mailings and radio and televison ads brought voters out to the polls. Across the district more than 30 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. In similar special elections only six to ten percent of voters have shown up.
Amedore has big plans for 105th District By: Ryan Peterson
ROTTERDAM, N.Y. -- Assemblyman-elect George Amedore, Jr. has big plans for the 105th District. The Republican home builder says property taxes need to be capped and state government should be run like a business.
Meanwhile, Democrat Ed Kosiur says he's looking forward to a re-match next year.
In a higher turnout than expected, more than 30 percent of registered voters in Montgomery and Schenectady counties cast a ballot Tuesday. A Republican was elected for the first time in 25 years.
WATCH THE VIDEO
Amedore has big plans for district
Assemblyman-elect George Amedore, Jr. has big plans for the 105th District. He says property taxes need to be capped and state government should be run like a business.
Amedore hopes to create legislation to place a cap on ever-rising property taxes and he wants to eliminate waste and inefficiency at the Capital by running things more like a business.
Amedore said, "As I promised, I'm going to create legislation that's going to put a cap on our property taxes, and that's something I'm going to work very hard to do, as well as start running things more like a business, looking at the inefficiencies and the waste in our government."
Democratic rival Ed Kosiur says he plans on making sure Amedore stays true to his word.
Kosiur is also gearing up for the 2008 election when he plans on challenging Amedore again for a full-term.
Well the election is over and the people made their voices heard. I would like to say that both parties did a good job on getting people out to vote. And the reps, Mr. Tedesco, did an extrodinary job running Mr. Amedore's campaign coupled with the person that Mr. Amedore is, was a sure win. George Amedore's personal demeanor, the energetic display of enthusiasm, his sincerity, committment and all over charector was surely the deciding factor when people went to the poles. Whether dems or reps, people voted for the person, the hope for change and the new fresh ideas.
Now it will be up the the dems in the assembly to listen to their constituants and make Mr. Amedore's promises come to pass. IF, Mr. Amedore, is not able to accomplish what he has promised, the dems again will have the self inflicted black eye. So lets hope the dems were listening to the people!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Ohhhhh....but they do help put food on your table by keeping taxes low so you can enjoy more of your paycheck. And to not raise the gas tax and cell phone tax, so you could have more money in your wallet.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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