A New Independent Force

In New York, The Republican State Committee believes the Party is best served when they select a candidate that can run a strong and fruitful campaign to go up against a Democratic opponent. To them apparently, registered republicans in the State do not know which candidates would serve the State best and that we should trust the decisions of the committee.

Yesterday, the New York Post expressed disappointment in two matters: one, that Governor Pataki threw his support behind US Senate candidate, Jeanine Pirro, and two, strong US Senate candidate, Ed Cox opted to drop out immediately after the endorsement. This is very disconcerting, because even though the governor may be the current leader of the New York State Party, he will only be the leader for another fourteen months. When the Senate election is decided, Governor Pataki will be a private citizen. The Post somes up the GOP under Mr. Pataki simply

Fact is, the GOP — read: Pataki — has failed to cultivate new and exciting candidates. On the contrary: George Pataki's GOP has gone out of its way to push aside any potential candidates not personally selected by the governor's "in" crowd.

Since Pataki took office in 1995, there hasn't been a single GOP primary for statewide office.

In a way, the Pataki Party has discouraged alternative Republican voices outside anyone who doesn't ride his coattails. The last candidate to show he is outside the Governor's circle was fortunate to win his election the year before. Mayor Giuliani.

On the County level, we see the Republican Party doing much of the same. County Committees look for one candidate to run for a particular seat and discourage competition. Though from a financial standpoint, this makes some sense, if there is a chance of a primary, County Committees should really give it their blessing and wait for the stronger candidate to prepare for the real challenge against the Democratic candidate in the general election

One problem we see is the lack of leadership within County Committees. Recently, the Queens County Committee had a major upheavel that they tried desperately to keep under control. They were successful, but the battle scars were exposed. We also learn that the QRCC also chose not to throw support behind a young energetic candidate in Raquel Lacomba Walker. Ms. Lacomba Walker could be faulted for not petitioning for the Republican line regardless of County support, but it would've been in the best interest of the Party to back anyone who decides to run in a district where no other Republican candidate is put forth.

Unlike the QRCC, the New York Republican County Committee's ultimate goal was to field candidates in all ten Manhattan districts and was successful in fielding six. This is a good sign as they didn't shut out an opportunity to represent the Party on the ballot. However, the NYRCC did discourage having two potential primaries in two of the six council districts.

I think it is time for an alternative source to support candidates and organize a grassroots organization behind candidates who don't get support from their County Committees. Of course, every candidate should first go to their County Committee to seek support for help and direction through their respective District Leaders. But if that fails, a back-up plan is needed.

The alternative should be the Urban Republican Coalition. If the URC can build a strong organization, it can be the fallback alternative to Republican candidates wishing to run for local office. If a Raquel Lacomba Walker wishes to run and is told not to or not given any support, the URC can help the candidate petition for ballot status independently. If the candidate is backed by a County Committee but not given the resources to be competitive, the URC can help the candidate get his or her message out. If a candidate is turned away from running, because another candidate was selected as the better choice, if he or she is determined to run until the very end, the URC can work to bring about a Republican Primary, which would bring media attention and competition to a moribund local race.

Here's hoping the Urban Republican Coalition will eventually become that alternative to defending independent and reform-minded candidates wishing to run for office who are shut out of the process by the party organizations.