
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