Assini's Extraordinary Effort

As you may know, I was a strong supporter of Mark Assini in his race for Congress in New York's 25th District.

It was always going to be an uphill battle...the incumbent, Louise Slaughter, is a 14 term member of Congress and a powerful member of the Democrat leadership in Washington (e.g., ranking member on the Rules Committee). Moreover, Mark was really left largely on his own by national, state, and local GOP leadership. No one really believed in Mark's chances except Mark, his family and some die-hard friends.

Well, as you know, Mark has brought the race down to the wire and beyond. The counting of absentee and affidavit ballots continues and the margin remains razor thin.

Mark may lose the final tally, but in my mind he is already a winner. Talk about fighting the good fight! Mark left nothing on the table in this one. He and his family should be proud.

I want to thank Mark for allowing me to have been a small part of the effort. He will be a role model for anyone who has a dream or goal and who seeks that dream or goal albeit against long odds and against the naysayers and notwithstanding whether he/she is likely to prevail. Mark knew what he wanted to do. He had a message and he found a way to convey that message to many, many voters. He did so with good humor, class, and competence.

Three days after the election, it is still being talked and written about. It was an extraordinary effort by an extraordinary guy.

Way to go Mark.