State Senate Democrats Raise Money for Republican-Friendly Colleague
Ruben Diaz, Sr. the Democratic State Senator who is planning to run on both the Democratic and Republican tickets in his district, is having an August 16 fund-raiser hosted by Democratic leadership.
Diaz told me the event is happening at Maestro’s restaurant in the Bronx, and is being organized by State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith and Jeff Klein, the co-chair of the conference.
The event should be worth checking out to see who shows up and if much is said about Diaz’s social conservatism. Unlike most of his Democratic colleagues, Diaz says he opposes same-sex marriage, stem cell research, and abortion.
Diaz said he supports Democrats when it comes to expanding affordable housing, improving public schools and job creation. But, he told me, “When it comes to family values, right there, I have to put a stop.”
“You have Democrats in the South and other parts of the country--there are Democrats just like me. Nobody questions them. Democrats like me are winning are over the country. Democrats opposing abortion, Democrats opposing same-sex marriage, so what is the problem with me? I’m not the only Democrat in the nation doing this.”
When asked about whether he would vote for a Republican to be the majority leader--a vote which could determine which party controls that house--Diaz said, “I might not vote for anybody. I may stay home.” He added, “I could get sick. I’m allowed to get sick.”
UPDATE: Liz Benjamin emails that she has a copy of the invite and that the event is taking place on the 13th, not the 16th, like Diaz told me.
UPDATE: Diaz clarified his remarks over the phone later.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 49.8
- 42.5
- Obama +7.3
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 57.3
- 35.9
- +21.4
- McCain
- 50.1
- 42.3
- +7.8
Just to clarify, the August 13 event is being organized by Senator Ruben Diaz's campaign committee - not by any elected officials. The invitation clearly states that RSVP's should go to re-elect@rubendiaz.com, and phone RSVP's are to numbers not related AT ALL to either Senator Malcolm Smith nor Senator Jeff Klein.
Anyone who cares to review Senator Ruben Diaz's contributions to Senate Democrats will see that like a good Democrat, he donated $5,000 to help elect Senator Craig Johnson and $2,000 to help elect Senator David Valesky.
Anyone who cares to review a recent NYC Mayor's race when a Democrat, Fernando Ferrer, ran against a Republican, Michael Bloomberg, Senator Ruben Diaz supported the Democrat - unlike more than half of NYC's Democrats who proudly supported the billionaire Republican - including Malcolm Smith. Where was party loyalty then?
And anyone who cares to review a recent NY Governor race when a Democrat, Carl McCall, ran against a Republican, George Pataki, 1199 Union supported the Republican. Where was the outrage about the need to be good Democrats and support Democrats?
There have been plenty of candidates who have run for office and will continue to run on more than one line. It's nothing new - and good for them all.
Like many NY'ers who reside in and out of his district, I am hopeful that Senator Diaz's August 13th fundraiser will be a great success and that he will continue to serve his district and represent the needs of his constituents.