The State Comptroller Race

The New York State Comptroller, Alan Hevesi (D), appeared to have an open field in a bid for reelection. The talk in the media was primarily on the Republican gubernatorial candidates and the US Senate candidates challenging Sen. Clinton.

Now, we're hearing of potential GOP candidates for State Comptroller.

Kathleen Jimino became the first name floated as a possible Comptroller candidate, first suggested by State Senate Majority Leader, Joseph Bruno. Sen. Bruno was hoping for a Tom Golisano to self-finance gubernatorial campaign. so campaign money could go to GOP Senate candidates and the other statewide races.

In 2001, Kathleen Jimino became the only woman in New York State to currently serve as County Executive when she was appointed to this position. Six months later the voters of Rensselaer County approved her appointment by electing her by the largest margin ever afforded any Rensselaer County Executive in history!

To date her administration is known for its consistent drive to assure that County residents benefit from the streamlining of services while at the same emphasizing that departments adhere to her strict budgetary standards.

J. Christopher Callaghan became the Republican thrown into the mix and Mr. Callaghan actually has a website set up for his candidacy. He's known for being aggressive in grassroots party-building.

A graduate of the State University at Albany Chris Callaghan has been engaged in the business of government finances since 1971, when he served as an accountant for the Facilitie Development Corporation. Callaghan has also been active in Republican politics since 1969, when he served as president of the Waterford Young Republicans. Long active in grass-roots Republican politics since then, he was the Republican town chairman for nearly 20 years and now serves a the committee's vice chairman

C. Scott Vanderhoef is another potential candidate being tossed into the mix. Two points of interest on Mr. Vanderhoef:

1) He’s won four elections in a suburban county dominated by Democrats (enrollment is 45,534 GOP/81,346 Dems).

2) As a county executive, he has first-hand experience of what this GOP source called “Hevesi’s mismanagement of the pension fund” and the effect increased contributions has on budgets, and, by default, property taxes.

If the Republican Party can field a strong ticket for all four statewide races, I think both Vanderhoef and Callaghan could put up a good fight against Hevesi. If one of them presents a strong argument as to why Alan Hevesi should be voted out of office, we may see a victotry here.