National Organization for Women-New York State PAC Endorses Regina Calcaterra (D) for NYS Senate

ALBANY, NY (03/06/2010)(readMedia)-- NOW-New York State (National Organization For Women) is pleased to announce that the NOW-NYS PAC (Political Action Committee) has endorsed attorney Regina Calcaterra (D) for New York State Senate's First District (Eastern Long Island). Calcaterra is a pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-civil rights candidate with a good chance of unseating the anti-choice, anti-woman, thirty-four year incumbent Kenneth Lavalle (R), who has been obstructing gay/lesbian civil rights and reproductive freedom for over three decades. In light of the fact that there was no 2008 opposition candidate in LaValle's race, the Brookhaven-born Calcaterra explained: "With so much at stake in state government, and with growing dysfunction in the Legislature, I decided to run for the seat in next year's election."

Past NOW-NYS President Marilyn Fitterman remarked that "seldom has a State office candidate garnered such impressive support so early. A number of women's organizations, including the Women's Campaign Forum and NARAL Pro-Choice New York have already endorsed Calcaterra." Fitterman is currently President of East End NOW, which is in Calcaterra's District.

No stranger to difficulty, in childhood Calcaterra experienced both poverty and homelessness. She generously credits others with making her the person she is today: "Through the help of very hard-working people in government - teachers, social workers, librarians, police officers and even crossing guards - we got through it," she said. "They inspired me to take the path that got me here today, through public school, college and law school, and convinced me that government can absolutely do a better job than we see today."

NOW-NYS salutes Calcaterra and is extremely enthusiastic about the PAC's endorsement. In the words of NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas, "this woman will do New York proud."