Unshackle Upstate Endorses Andrew Russo for State Senate

EAST SYRACUSE, NY (10/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Unshackle Upstate today was joined by the National Federation of Independent and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney in a public endorsement of Andrew Russo for New York State Senate in the 49th district.

Russo is challenging incumbent Sen. David Valesky who, in the past two years alone, has voted to increase state spending by 12 percent, and raise taxes and fees by $9.2 billion.

"Andrew Russo has earned our endorsement because he is committed to reining in state spending and reducing the tax burden on families and businesses," said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. "Andrew Russo has the courage and resolve to champion policies that will help create jobs and energize New York's economy and relieve the burden on taxpayers."

Unshackle Upstate was joined by New York's leading small business association, the National Federation of Independent Business, in supporting Andrew Russo for State Senate.

"Andrew Russo is ready to come to the Senate and fight for small business, job creation and taxpayers. He will be a strong voice for lower taxes and lessening New York's crushing cost of doing business and will stand up and say no to political leaders and special interests who continue to advance policies that are destroying New York's private sector economy and driving people from our state," said NFIB/New York State Director Mike Elmendorf.

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney also voiced her support of Russo. "Today I announced my endorsement of Andrew Russo for New York State Senate," Mahoney said. "This is an important election and Andrew Russo has the courage we need to go to Albany, work across party lines and make the important decisions that will move our region and state forward."

During the event, Russo acknowledged the endorsements of New York's leading taxpayer and business advocacy groups.

"I am proud to be the one candidate in this race who understands that high taxes and out-of-control spending are hurting our ability to create jobs for workers and grow our economy so families can live and work right here in Central New York. Rather than giving lip service to the real economic concerns of businesses and families, I'll fight for them every single day. We need to cut taxes, provide incentives to allow businesses to create jobs and get Central New York working again," Russo said. "I am proud to receive the endorsement of two organizations that, like me, are fighting for New York."

Today's endorsement is a continuation of Unshackle Upstate's Judgment Day campaign, which was launched earlier this year in an effort to educate and empower voters prior to November 2.

"Election Day is less than three weeks away and voters deserve to know who will stand up and fight for them in Albany. To that end, we encourage the taxpayers and job creators in the 49th Senate district to vote for Andrew Russo on November 2. It is imperative for the livelihood of all of New Yorkers," said Sampson.

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Unshackle Upstate is a bipartisan coalition representing more than 70,000 employers with upwards of 1.5 million workers in every region of upstate. To learn more about Unshackle Upstate and its Judgment Day campaign, please visit www.unshackleupstate.com