In the Issues section of Senator Murphy’s website, he says he wants to focus on Hudson Valley issues, which makes sense since the Hudson Valley is in Senate District 40. It would make more sense if he focused on the state, since he’s a STATE senator. He certainly didn’t say that he wanted to focus on NYC.
Nevertheless, when you look at his contributors, you have to wonder why there is such a significant NYC focus, especially since his 2016 campaign emphasized keeping NYC money and politics out of the Hudson Valley. “The Hudson Valley is not for sale. Go back to NYC.”, Murphy said.
Then why, according to the Board of Elections, did the Real Estate Board of New York ’s PAC (REBNY), which represents landlords in NYC and spent $millions on NYC Council races, give $17.9K to Murphy. REBNY members include some of NYC’s most influential real estate professionals.
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Senator Murphy also took $9K from the Rent Stabilization Association’s RSA PAC. The RSA represents landlords who own more than a million rent stabilized apartments in NYC. He took nearly $4K from REALTORS PAC (RPAC), which represents landlords who own over one million rent-stabilized apartments in NYC.
Former State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver’s case included political donations from companies like Glenwood Management. Members of the Senate who benefited from Glenwood’s donations included Senator Murphy. Glenwood’s real estate domain is building management primarily in NYC.
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Vickers Realty, LTD gave Murphy $5K. Vickers Realty is responsible for the ownership and management of over 25 buildings in NYC. Jack Resnick & Sons PAC’s gave Senator Murphy $9K. Jack Resnick & Sons is one of the largest private owners of residential and commercial office properties in NYC.
The total of NYC real estate interests received by Murphy is $44.9K.
Perhaps this letter focuses too much on the Senator’s NYC donations. I would be remiss in excluding the contribution he received from YORKTOWN JAZ LLC, a part of Breslin Realty, which owns the property where Loews in Yorktown is being built.
Let’s put someone in the State Senate for District 40, who has none of these entangling ties to NYC and will focus on all New York State issues. Let’s elect Robert Kesten to be our next senator in District 40.
