Friday, September 16, 2022

New York U.S. Senate- Race of the Day

53 Days Until Election Day

New York U.S Senate

Status: Democrat Incumbent
2020 Presidential Result: Blue State (East)

Outlook: Safe Democrat

There is not a whole lot that needs to be covered in discussing this race. Having served in elected office since he graduated law school, Chuck Schumer came to Washington as a Congressman following the 1980 election. Known for his enthusiasm for being in front of television cameras, Schumer moved up to the Senate in 1998, defeating a three-term Republican incumbent, and he has been the leader of Senate Democrats for over six years now. Once it was clear that he would not face a primary challenge from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, it was smooth waters ahead for Schumer in regards to his Senate seat. He is just now waiting to see whether he will remain as Majority Leader or be relegated to Minority Leader. Recently, Schumer has put his party's assets on the line to try to help nominate weaker Republican candidates in places such as New Hampshire. The fact that they might be election deniers or "semi-fascist" in any way is irrelevant to those Democrats who support the tactic, towards the end of winning elections.

Schumer faced no primary opposition to become the nominee of Democrats as well as the Working Families Party. If as expected, he wins a fifth term, he will become the longest serving Senator in New York history. Some history was made on the other side as well, when Republican Joe Pinion, who is also running under the banner of the Conservative Party, became the first African-American to be nominated for the U.S. Senate in Empire State history. 

Pinion was slated as the GOP Senate candidate months ago and also did not face a primary opponent. "Joe Pinion" is a good name for someone who gets paid to offer their two cents on political matters. After this election, Pinion, like some other recent New York Republican Senate hopefuls, may hope to get more of a chance to share his opinion in the New York City studios of Fox News Channel. A former college football player, Pinion has been active as a pundit and a conservative activist. His one previous run for office was an unsuccessful attempt to win a State Assembly seat in 2018, around his hometown of Yonkers. 

There is no doubt that Schumer is a polarizing figure in politics and will be talked about by Republican candidates in races across the country. At home though, he really is not that vulnerable, considering the makeup of the state and the massive war chest that the Senator has and will barely need to tap into. Pinion is an impressive speaker but will be considered way too conservative for the general electorate..

I might as well mention that a  LaRouche Independent candidate is also on the ballot and Diane Sare will not get very far as she defends Russia and attacks Ukraine and all of the other weird things LaRouchies do. The founder of the movement died several years back and I am only mentioning it at all because of the irony that Queen Elizabeth II passed away a week ago last Thursday on what would have been LaRouche's 100th birthday. For decades, the conspiracy theorist and frequent candidate, who also spent some time in prison, accused Her Majesty of being a big player in the international drug trade.

May the Queen Rest in Peace. Thank goodness that Frank Drebin/Enrico Pallazo saved her back in 1988 from the brainwashed attempt on her life at the baseball game from Reggie Jackson. In mentioning "The Naked Gun", it also has to be pointed out that the Queen and Mikhail Gorbachev, who were both fictionally portrayed in the classic film, both died very close together in time. Yet, the real O.J. Simpson endures.

U.S. Senate races predicted thus far:

11 D (6 Safe, 1 Likely, 2 Leans, 2 Tossup)
11 R (6 Safe, 3 Likely, 2 Leans)

Total with predictions thus far:

47 D (36 Holdover, 6 Safe, 1 Likely, 2 Leans, 2 Tossup) 
40 R (29 Holdover, 6 Safe. 3 Likely, 2 Leans)