FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Greg Rigby, Cayuga County Conservative Chair
Phone 315- 253- 0736
Email: grigby@localnet.com

Jeff Brown Tries to Sidestep Conservative Voters
Lawsuit Suggests Assemblyman Afraid to Face Opponent

Nancy Brown wants to give Conservative voters in the 49th District a chance to decide who can best represent them against Dave Valesky in November. Her opponent for the Conservative line, Assemblyman Jeff Brown, doesn’t agree. He is using his considerable legal resources in an attempt to end her candidacy. Jeff served 72 year old Nancy Brown, a Madison County political newcomer, with papers last night to appear in court on August 4, 2006. He wants her petitions tossed so he does not have to face Nancy in a primary. This lawsuit is a part of an ongoing disturbing pattern of behavior from Jeff Brown in conjunction with Republican and Conservative party bosses to use intimidation, backroom deals and legal maneuvering to force challengers out of this senate race.

Three of the four Conservative Chairs (Madison, Cayuga and Oneida) in the district endorse Nancy’s campaign. The majority of Conservative committee members in the district voted against Jeff Brown. To Nancy it seems like common sense that there should be a primary, but Jeff Brown has other ideas. He is trying to kick Nancy Brown out of the election with the assistance of Joe Bruno’s money and Mike Long’s lawyers. Jeff’s determination to avoid a primary doesn’t make much sense to Nancy.

“I have been talking with my neighbors and friends, down the street and in local Conservative party circles. Folks are tired of the way things are going in Albany. They want their values and beliefs respected. Conservatives want other Conservatives elected who believe in the party platform. They don’t want to settle on a Republican who is a kinda sorta Conservative just so Joe Bruno can toss our party a few scraps at election time. Why should we settle? Our party isn’t for sale.”

“Let’s just have this primary. Jeff can make his case and I can argue mine. I can’t for the life of me figure out why Jeff is sending out his legal henchman. I just want a chance to participate in the process. Why is he so determined to keep me out of the race? I don’t have his money or political ties. I am just a widow and a grandma who wants to set things straight in Albany using the common sense that seems to be lacking down there. I think I can make a difference. I sure haven’t seen much out of Jeff in the last few years. I would at least like a fair chance. I don’t even have a lawyer, but if Jeff, Bruno and Long want a fight, I will give them one.”
It’s interesting to note that back in 2002 Jeff Brown was a big fan of primaries. After losing the Republican Committee vote to William Meyer in his first race for the Assembly, Jeff collected signatures to force a primary to allow ‘all voters’ to pick a candidate. At the time Jeff said the general party membership (Republican) should have a say in candidates.
“I don’t think the committee vote produced an overwhelming mandate for any one candidate. I quite frankly think it’s healthy from time to time to let all voters participate in choosing candidates. If we never gave them the opportunity, it just takes away the initiative to be involved in a political party.” Jeff Brown, Post-Standard, May 30, 2002

Supporters of Nancy Brown and voters in the 49th District are left to assume Assemblyman Brown now believes he is somehow entitled to the Conservative line without a primary. It’s a change of tune that demonstrates just how much he has become part of the Albany establishment and out of touch with Conservative voters.

I have to say, I like her Passion and I don’t find much to disagree with her on…. Good Luck Nancy!