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Gillibrand endorses Barber for Senate

By Colin DeVries

CATSKILL — Whether you believe it or not, it’s a fact that the political landscape across the nation is turning a shade of blue.

A sign of that was evident Saturday night at “The Blue Tsunami: The Rally in the Valley,” which flooded the city of Hudson with political candidates and their boisterous young Democratic supporters, poised to exercise their right to choose their government in November.

At the rally, local Democratic candidate Don Barber (D-Caroline), running for the 51st State Senatorial District seat against incumbent James Seward (R-Oneonta), was endorsed by U.S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand (D-Greenport) who represents New York’s 20th Congressional District.

“This region needs leaders, like Don Barber, who will fight to lower property taxes, decrease health care and grow our economy by creating good jobs,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Don to further the interests of this region, and I support his candidacy for the State Senate.”

Barber and Gillibrand share many common perspectives, particularly that agriculture is the critical resource for a sustainable economy in Greene County and New York state.

“Rep. Gillibrand and I share the same values,” said Barber in a statement. “She is focusing on the struggles of upstate’s working families, especially in this economic crisis, as I am. We are both deeply concerned about how many New Yorkers lack health insurance and the continuing erosion of health care benefits even for those who have policies. Too many New Yorkers are just one illness away from bankruptcy. I very much appreciate Rep. Gillibrand’s endorsement.”

The endorsement came the evening before U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Illinois) received an across-the-aisle endorsement from a staunch Republican, President George W. Bush’s former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Yet another sign of the evolving political landscape across the United States.

Michael Blaine, communications director for Barber’s campaign, said Saturday night’s turnout at the Rally was a sign of the times.

“The event was called ‘The Blue Tsunami’ because Democrats are looking forward to a wave of change,” Blaine said in a phone interview. “Don Barber is very much a part of that wave. He is running a grassroots campaign against the old style, pay-to-play politics in Albany. Right now we have volunteers all over the seven counties that make up our district ... Don Barber has inspired a wave of change right here in the 51st Senate District.”

Barber has also received endorsements from Sens. Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer, U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey and Michael Arcuri, and State Sens. Neil Breslin and Darrel Aubertine, all Democrats.

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