ELECTIONS 2012: Aldersley for County Legislature

By Jeremy Moule @jfmoule

[
      {
        "name": "500x250 Ad",
        "insertPoint": "5",
        "component": "15667920",
        "parentWrapperClass": "",
        "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
      }
    ]

Democratic Legislator Stephanie Aldersley is looking to win the seat she once held for a decade.

Aldersley was appointed to the Monroe County Legislature earlier this year to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Vinnie Esposito. She's running now to fill the remaining three years of Esposito's term, and faces a challenge from Republican Joe Carbone. The winner will represent the 16th District, which covers part of Irondequoit.

Aldersley represented the district for 10 years; she was term-limited out of the Legislature in 2007, but is now eligible to serve again. Carbone, a podiatrist, challenged Esposito in 2011 and lost by less than 10 percent of the vote.

Voters should choose Aldersley. She shares her caucus's concerns on issues like the county's recurring deficits, its use of local development corporations, and the administration's cuts to social services.

On large, controversial issues — the county's annual budget included — the Legislature's votes are often split along party lines. And Republicans have used their majority to force through controversial measures, including appointing a new public defender and approving an administration proposal to cut funding for home lead inspections in the City of Rochester.

Individual Republican legislators rarely break with their caucus, and there's little evidence to suggest that Carbone would be an independent voice.

Democrats reliably question the administration on spending and policies.

"The minority does operate as kind of a watchdog on the administration," Aldersley says, explaining that further Democrat losses could diminish the caucus's oversight abilities.

Later this year or early next year, the Legislature will vote on borrowing to move Monroe Community College's downtown campus from the Sibley building to the State Street Kodak campus. That measure requires a two-thirds vote, meaning some Democrats would have to vote in favor. Aldersley says she's undecided on the move. The caucus hasn't received enough information, she says, and she's worried the county may end up paying more for the Kodak buildings than they are worth.

In This Guide...

Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: The case against Brooks for Congress

Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks almost never refers to the “people” of Monroe County; they are “taxpayers,” even when the context seems to demand another noun. The subtle bit of messaging aligns with Brooks’ signature and much-touted accomplishment as county executive: freezing the property tax rate.

By Christine Carrie Fien and Jeremy Moule Oct 24, 2012

Maggie Brooks Louise Slaughter Congress LGBT abortion Affordable Care Act Cover Story
Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: Evaluating Slaughter's record

Democratic incumbent Louise Slaughter is one of the most liberal members of the House of Representatives, and proudly so. She’s quick-witted, a master zinger-slinger, and energetic. Her folksy populism marinates in an endearing Kentucky accent, but she can get down in the weeds, too — she’s a microbiologist — and discuss in minute detail the best circumstances to grow algae for conversion to gasoline, for example. Slaughter’s critics like to say, “Sure, she’s likeable, but what has she done?” The answer is quite a lot.

By Christine Carrie Fien Oct 24, 2012

Louise Slaughter Violence Against Women Act 25th Congressional District high-speed rail Port of Rochester Affordable Care Act Brooks Landing Monroe County crime lab Strong Museum Wilmot Cancer Center STOCK Act University of Rochester Reciprocal Market Access Act
Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: Gillibrand has earned second term

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Manhattan attorney Wendy Long are graduates of Dartmouth. They're not far apart in age, and they're both working mothers.

By Tim Louis Macaluso Oct 24, 2012

Kirsten Gillibrand Colia Clark Wendy Long US Senate Green Party
Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: Hochul over Collins

The 27th Congressional District race is essentially about two things: health care and jobs. Incumbent Democratic Representative Kathy Hochul wants to keep the Affordable Care Act in place, though she's said it could be improved.

By Jeremy Moule Oct 24, 2012

NY27 Kathy Hochul Chris Collins Hamlin Mendon Rush manufacturing agriculture
Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: O'Brien should win Senate slugfest

A preview of state races of local concern

Republican State Senator Jim Alesi's decision not to seek re-election set off a savage political scramble that only gets uglier and more personal as the election gets closer. The race between Democrat Ted O'Brien and Republican Sean Hanna for the 55th Senate District is about local representation, but also about control of the Senate.

By Jeremy Moule Oct 24, 2012

Assembly Senate Ted O'Brien Sean Hanna
Elections

ELECTIONS 2012: Dinolfo seeks third term as clerk

Incumbent Republican Cheryl Dinolfo and Democrat Susan Vandervoort are the candidates for Monroe County clerk — an office that probably shouldn't require an election in the first place. Dinolfo was appointed clerk in April 2004 after former clerk Maggie Brooks became county executive.

By Tim Louis Macaluso Oct 24, 2012

Cheryl Dinolfo Susan Vandervoort Monroe County clerk