Matthew Carlin
Silver Tends to Gay Groups
Sheldon Silver is giving money to the Stonewall Democratic Club for the first time. In the past, the 32-year-incumbent and Orthodox Jew has not conspicuously supported the causes embraced by many gay activists in his district--or at least he didn't before bringing gay marriage legislation to a vote in the Assembly last June.
Silver paid $500 for a ticket to the May 15 annual fund-raiser for Stonewall, which is based in his district and considered one of the major Democratic clubs for the gay community. He is also expected to attend.
According to a search of campaign finance records, Silver has never given a contribution to the group before. Nor has he given to Lambda Independent Democrats.
The May 15 fund-raiser is the first major event the group has hosted since the Assembly passed the same-sex marriage bill last year. It's also in the run-up to the September primaries, which Silver is taking more seriously than usual as he faces two spirited challengers. read more »
Stonewall's New President: Matt Carlin
Carlin, an attorney in Manhattan, was elected last night.
Carlin told me last night that one of the club's first priorities under his leadership would be to help put Democrats in control of the state Senate by electing Craig Johnson on Long Island. The club is planning a fund-raiser and volunteer drive in the coming days.
-- Azi Paybarah
