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June 28th, 2010

Dear Friends,

After very deep reflection and analysis by our campaign team and me individually, I have chosen to withdraw from this 2010 New York State Senate Race due to insurmountable financial challenges.

Since this campaign began many months ago we have worked tirelessly not only to run, but to win. This decision to end the campaign was not made easily, but it is clear that our campaign has reached the point where we will not be able to raise the means to communicate with voters at a level capable of victory.

Unfortunately, my campaign was unable to secure the financial backing, institutional support, or leadership we hoped for from within the progressive movement. We cannot prevail without a unified base and I will not divide the same movement from which my campaign was born. Nor will I allow this candidacy to elevate political interests which oppose the values and beliefs we all fight so hard for.

I am eternally grateful for the support, generosity, and commitment all of you have shown me throughout this journey. The people I have met, the ideas we have exchanged, and the lessons I have learned are invaluable experiences that I will forever carry with me. We have advanced important discussions in tax fairness, accountable economic development, political reform, equality and civil rights. Make no mistake, our message has resonated with the thousands of voters we have met and spoken to across the 58th State Senate district. You, and they, have expressed a genuine desire for nothing less than people based policies in government.

Our campaign engaged a level of early grassroots support unprecedented in local politics. Whether you were one of the hundreds that made phone calls, walked door-to-door, attended a fundraiser, or wrote a check, your support means everything to me. Still, we were all in this campaign to win and while this campaign may be over, our cause continues.

For me it will continue in the courtroom on behalf the injured men and women I represent, in our fight for marriage equality, and certainly in a progressive campaign in the future.

For many of my supporters it will continue on the stage, in the court room, classroom or other places where we live and work everyday.

For the leaders of my team it will continue in their daily advocacy for LGBT rights, for the rights of the criminally accused, for women’s health, for a clean and healthy environment, for affordable housing, for economic justice, and for government and financial transparency. There has never been a campaign team anchored by a more talented group of activists and leaders. I am especially grateful to all of you and moved by your friendship.

I remain committed to the cause of progress and know you do as well.

A most sincere thank you,
Sean Cooney

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Before you go to the 14th Annual Buffalo Brunch on Sunday, May 2, stop by Sean Cooney for Senate’s campaign kick-off!

Where: In front of the Donovan Building, at the corner of Main & Washington Street in Downtown Buffalo.

When: Sunday, May 2, 2010

Announcement from 11:00-11:30AM

There will be a volunteer canvass following the announcement, from 11:30AM-4PM.

Let’s continue to do our part to retire Sen. Stachowski!

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February 23, 2010
Stonewall Democrats of Western New York is proud, and thrilled, to support a true progressive and independently minded candidate in Sean Cooney for the office of NYS Senate District 58. Sean Cooney has been a champion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights for years, and as state senator, we know that he will be our voice in Albany, and will always vigorously defend equality and justice. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a great candidate in him to restore equality to the office of the NYS 58th Senate District, which is currently so lacking.

SDWNY looks forward to the coming year and campaign, as we will work with our candidate Sean Cooney to replace the current incumbent and anti-LGBT senator, William Stachowski. Sean Cooney, endorsed unanimously at our February meeting, has an absolutely perfect record on and grasp of LGBT issues and civil rights. When elected to the New York State Senate, Sean Cooney will be one of our fiercest advocates on the issues important to the LGBT community—such as the Gender Non-Discrimination Act, the Dignity for All Students Act and the Marriage Equality bill—where he will continue the staunch, equality-minded advocacy he has worked on for years with the LGBT community in Western New York. Never will we have to doubt Sean Cooney's commitment to the issues important to our community and families, and never will Sean Cooney have to doubt our commitment to his candidacy. We congratulate Sean Cooney on receiving our endorsement, and look forward to the work to be done in the year ahead which will result in his election as NYS Senator from the 58th District.

Read more about the race in the 58th here.

Read more about Sean Cooney here.

Image: cooneyforsenate.com
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