Democratic Senate candidate David Nachbar is the latest to receive the endorsement of Rochester-area billionaire Tom Golisano’s political action committee, the group said.
Nachbar has been added to the list of roughly 15 candidates running for the state Legislature that the committee, Responsible New York, has said it will endorse in the November elections.
Nachbar, a former executive at Bausch & Lomb in Rochester, is challenging Sen. James Alesi, R-Perinton, in the 55th District, which covers parts of Rochester and most of eastern Monroe County.
Golisano, the founder of the Penfield-based Paychex Inc., started Responsible New York with million of his own money last month as a way to back candidates who support his reform agenda.
The group has been announcing endorsements throughout the week, based largely on questionnaires candidates submitted. In the Rochester area, the group is backing incumbent Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, Niagara County, and Democratic challenger Richard Dollinger of Brighton, who is facing Sen. Joseph Robach, R-Greece.
Laureen Oliver, co-chair of Responsible New York, told Gannett News Service that the group will not make any endorsement in the race between Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, Seneca County, and Democratic challenger Paloma Capanna of Pittsford.
Other endorsements include Assemblyman Roy McDonald, a Republican from Saratoga County, who is running to fill former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s seat; Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, Otsego County; and Democrat Barbra Kavanaugh who is running in a primary against Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo.
The group expects to put out a full list of Senate endorsements this weekend.
Responsible New York has not made any decision on how much money will be spent on each race. Oliver and co-chair Steve Pigeon, former Erie County Democratic chairman, said they are conducting polls in some districts to determine which races are most competitive and will require the most resources.
Alesi said he did not seek Responsible New York’s endorsement and did not fill out its questionnaire.
No tag for this post.