And Albany Lobbyists
 
(Nassau, NY) Chairman of the New York State Senate Health Committee, Sen. Kemp Hannon, filed his campaign financial disclosure this week.  A close look at Hannon’s contributors revealed that his largest haul comes from the health care industry and Albany lobbyists.

In 2012, Sen. Hannon took in a total of nearly $140,000 from the health care industry and Albany lobbyists.  Democratic candidate, Ryan Cronin, is challenging Sen. Hannon in the upcoming November election.

“Senator Hannon has been in Albany since the Ford Administration, and someone who has been there that long tends to lose touch with the people they’re supposed to represent. The Senator’s filing indicates that he’s working for special interests and not for the people of Nassau County,” Cronin said. 
 
This revelation comes in a year when Senate Democrats, with the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, highlighted campaign finance reform as necessary to improving the way Albany does business.
 
“My campaign in about protecting the working class here on Long Island.  When people see this level of money being injected into our elections, particularly at a time when Long Island is suffering, they’re right to be skeptical that their elected officials are fighting for their best interests.  This perfectly illustrates why the legislature needs to take up campaign finance reform.  We need our elected officials to reject special interest money and give ordinary people even footing when trying to get the attention of their senator,” Cronin added.