Dear Lucas,
In the coming weeks I'll be updating you on each of our campaigns, starting this week with the Hudson Valley. Last week, the political buzz up there was all about one of our No Bad Apples-targeted races.
Justin Wagner, the No Bad Apples-endorsed first-time candidate taking on Senator Greg Ball in northern Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties, has spent the summer landing solid punches on Ball, while simultaneously hauling in some huge endorsements, like CSEA, the New York State United Teachers, and the League of Conservation Voters.
Now, Senator Ball has put himself in the headlines again with a self-inflicted wound: news emerged last week that he accidentally sent the Journal News an email intended for his staff, demanding they find constituents to sign letters to the editor attacking Justin in local newspapers. This follows the revelation earlier this summer that Ball's campaign was sending out emails to voters with attacks on Justin, mocked up to appear as if they came from Justin himself !
Ball has a lot of explaining to do -- voters and local editorial boards alike are fed up. But here's the best part: Justin's response .
A number of campaign consultants have advised me that I should jump all over these headlines and bad press you've received and hold press conference after press conference outside of your office, but Greg, I think the people of the Hudson Valley deserve better. They deserve a campaign centered on the issues. Let's give it to them.
I am writing in response to these revelations about your orchestrated attacks not to respond in kind, but instead to call for a series of debates on the issues. I propose that the first one of these debates be focused on women's issues. I have noticed your pink "Women for Ball" lawn signs in the district, so I trust that this is a series of issues you are eager to discuss.
Justin is smart, he's energetic, and he's not afraid to throw punches. But he also has a maturity beyond his years, and he's ready to put the focus where it should be: on the issues. That's why he's going to win, and why I'm going to be thrilled to have him as a colleague.
Liz Krueger
PS: If you can, please join me on Sept. 20 to support Justin and help pave his road to victory! Invitation | RSVP