In case you haven't noticed, the upcoming July 31st special election for the Schenectady-based 105th Assembly District seat now being vacated by long-term Democrat Paul Tonko has been grabbing lots of attention in the Capital Region media lately, as well as the local blogosphere.

The Republican, George Amedore is a wealthy developer who apparently thinks he can buy the seat. Mr. Amedore has no political experience or legislative record, making him quite unsuitable for such a high-powered position in government. And given the recent track record of developers involved in politics in this region (ie. Roohan and Bonnacio), it can pehaps be easy to suspect that Amedore could now be looking to politics just as a way of  controlling the flow of cash to pet projects for him and his development allies. (Take a look at what corruption happened recently in Saratoga County with Bruno and the Republican-dominated Board of Supervisors with the water project as an example)

Ed Kosiur (D), meanwhile, is a strong reformer with years of experience in governmental affairs, working tirelessly to reform Schenectady's sex offender laws, as well as helping to advance paid family leave legislation while serving on the county legislature.

We can only hope that the state Democratic committee isn't about ready to let the Democratic-leaning, Schenectady-based 105th Assembly District easily fall into the hands of the GOP. This is a predominantly urban district where the Democratic Party has an enrollment advantage of over 4,000 voters and has been held easily by Paul Tonko for over two decades - this seat should be an easy Democratic lock if the party establishment would just get its act together.

Never the less, after years with an ailing economy coupled with an eroding population, Schenectady County deserves a reformer representing them in the Assembly now more than ever. That reform comes July 31st in the name of Ed Kosiur.