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marty golden

By Colin Campbell 2/08 10:55am

battle lines

Senator Golden's Proposed New District

Gounardes and Golden Tussle Over Redistricting

The Democratic challenger for Brooklyn State Senator Marty Golden, Andrew Gounardes, wrote him a letter yesterday on redistricting, taking particular issue with a recent New York Post story suggesting Republicans in the State Senate were attempting to hold Governor Andrew Cuomo's agenda hostage over the redistricting issue.

"[I]t is so unfortunate that you and your Republican colleagues in the Senate have chosen to break the New York Uprising pledge that you signed just 18 months ago," Mr. Gounardes wrote, attaching a copy of the pledge with the letter. "In that pledge, you swore to support an independent and non-partisan redistricting plan based on the 2010 Census. I was raised to believe that a person’s word is as good as their bond. With broken promises like this, why should voters take you at your word in the future?"

"I call on you to disavow the legislative threats of your colleagues and to recommit yourself to the pledge that you so recently signed," he concluded.

Reached for a response, Mr. Golden's campaign defended the redistricting process and expressed support for its outcome.

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By Colin Campbell 2/06 8:32am

social media excitement!

(Photo: Facebook)

Politicians Celebrate Super Bowl Victory (!!!!!)

Everyone who hasn't been living under a rock knows the New York Giants whipped up an impressive victory in the Super Bowl last night. However, even rock-dwellers were aware of the news if they were friends with any elected officials on Facebook.

Generally, the excited politicians' responses needed at least five exclamation marks.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley and State Senator Marty Golden were examples of this. Ms. Crowley wrote "NY Giants XLVI Super Bowl Champions!!!!!" while Mr. Golden wrote "Congratulations to the SuperBowl Champions the New York Giants!!!!!! Go Big Blue."

Councilman Jumaane Williams, who correctly predicted the score of the game, might have been the most excited of them all. "UH...Yeah! We did it again. ANY DAMN QUESTIONS!!!!!!!" he declared, adding "WHOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" He also had another "WHOAA" post containing 50 exclamation marks.

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3 By Colin Campbell 1/30 12:37pm

redistricting

The "Super Jewish" State Senate District

Golden, Fidler & Turner Weigh In On New Jewish District

After Assemblyman Dov Hikind and a key lobbyist in the influential Jewish social services organization Agudath Isreal both praised the State Senate's decision to create an Orthodox Jewish-majority district last week, it seems unlikely that any elected official in southern Brooklyn will blast its creation in the redistricting process.

In an interview with Shimon Gifter, Republican State Senator Marty Golden praised the new district, which will neighbor his. "I was very happy with my seat, obviously," he said. "A new Jewish seat will  be a good seat for the future for the state, and I thought that was well-designed as well."

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By Colin Campbell 1/28 4:52pm

campaign announcements

Andrew Gounardes announces his campaign

Andrew Gounardes Declares for State Senate [Video]

Andrew Gounardes, a 26-year-old attorney and official in the local Bay Ridge Democrats club, formally declared his candidacy to run against Brooklyn's only Republican State Senator, Marty Golden, this afternoon.

"Our state government still lacks the accountability, transparency, and honesty that we deserve. And worst of all, some of the politicians we've elected to office and entrusted with our votes, aren't doing much about it," he said early in his speech.

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By Colin Campbell 1/18 9:58am

golden's gold

Marty Golden (Photo: Facebook)

Marty Golden Raises Almost $400,000

Republican State Senator Marty Golden proved that he's no slouch when it comes to fundraising and reported yesterday that he's raised $393,000 over the last six months with another $10,000 collected in additional receipts, a very substantial amount for a state legislative race. These numbers represent solid uptick in financial contributions to the Brooklyn State Senator, who collected $225,000 in the last six-month filing period.

Democrats are quick to point out that Senator Golden posted a relatively high burn rate, spending $175,000 of the contributions he took in. In addition to contributions to party committees, much of the spending largely appears to be for fundraising events at restaurants and other locations. Notably Senator Golden's campaign spent $12,000 on events at the Bay Ridge Manor, something he's been criticized for in the past as the property is a Golden family business.

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By Colin Campbell 1/05 10:01am

criticism of criticism

Andrew Gounardes (Photo: Facebook)

Andrew Gounardes Takes Exception to Marty Golden’s Cuomo Criticism

Yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his formal State of the State speech, laying out a legislative agenda for the next year.  In response to that, Republican State Senator Marty Golden stated his disappointment with Governor Cuomo's for not developing a full plan to address public safety and fraud. Now, his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gounardes, is criticizing Senator Golden's criticism. Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/04 4:21pm

cuomo criticism

Marty Golden (Photo: Getty)

Marty Golden is ‘Disappointed’ by Cuomo’s State of the State Speech

State Senator Marty Golden, possibly the most influential New York City Republican in the state legislature, found Governor Andrew Cuomo's State of the State speech today to be significantly lacking. The Governor's presentation, which can be read here, was wide-ranging and touched a wide variety of topics from increasing the casino presence in New York to reducing the poverty rate in Buffalo.  However, Senator Golden criticized the lack of focus on public safety and fraud.

"As a former New York City Police Officer, I am disappointed by the Governor’s failure to focus on an agenda to keep New York’s citizens and families safe," Senator Golden said in a statement. "One of the most basic fundamentals New Yorkers must enjoy is a safe State in which to live, work and raise a family. We can’t ignore the fact that there are areas of criminal justice that must be addressed." Read More

7 By David Freedlander 12/20/11 4:26pm

Krugergate

Potential GOP candidate David Storobin, via Facebook

Potential GOP Candidate for Kruger Seat To Meet With Skelos, Golden Tomorrow

Earlier today Brooklyn State Senator Carl Kruger resigned and plead guilty to accepting over $1 million in bribes.

While he faces the prospect of jail time, the jockeying is already under way to replace him. On the Democratic side, City Councilmember Lew Fidler has the clear edge. On the Republican side, David Storobin, a lawyer and an official in the Brooklyn GOP, told The Politicker that he already has a breakfast scheduled tomorrow with GOP Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and with Brooklyn State Senator Marty Golden. Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/23/11 12:28pm

same-sex marriage

Republican Senators Say Not to Assume Anything

Republican State Senator Carl Marcellino of Long Island cautioned against reading anything into the fact that negotiations over the same-sex marriage bill have moved from the second floor with Governor Cuomo to the third floor, where the Republican conference will caucus the bill today.

"No," said Marcellino, when asked if there was any significance to news that his conference would consider the bill. He said this is how they normally handle major pieces of legislation.

State Senator Marty Golden of Brooklyn, another Republican who opposes the bill, concurred. Golden also said he has not seen the amended language.

Earlier this morning, State Senator Greg Ball -- who has suggested his vote might hinge on the strength of the religious exemptions -- said he hadn't seen the language of the bill either.