The Democratic primary campaign for the Assembly seat now held by Sean M. Ryan of Buffalo has drawn little attention through the early stages of political season -- until now.
Challenger Kevin P. Gaughan delivered the first blast of the campaign Thursday by accusing his opponent of conducting a "push poll" that was spreading false information. In a letter to Ryan, Gaughan said he plans to conduct his campaign on a high level as long as Ryan promised to refrain from such practices as well as any more taxpayer funded mailings as the September election approaches.
"Under the guise of surveying voters, your campaign is calling residents and making exaggerated and erroneous claims about me, my private life, and my public views, all in an effort to 'push' voter support away from me and, presumably, toward you," he said.
"I'd expect this behavior from a long-time pol," Gaughan added. "But I would not expect it from a young lawyer just starting out in government. Especially one who wants to be viewed as a progressive public servant.
Gaughan said he objected to Ryan's attempt to influence the campaign by spreading what he called false information during the course of telephone interviews disguised as poll questions.
"Sean, you’ve been in Albany less than a year. Our competition for this seat has existed less than a month," Gaughan said. "And your first step is to employ a destructive, discredited tactic that pols have used to harm folks for decades. And you do it to a fellow Democrat."
Ryan denied he was conducting a push poll and said Gaughan was off base by comparing his effort to tactics used in national races. He also denied any attempt by his pollsters to include in their questions information about Gaughan's private life.
"I don't know anything about his private life," Ryan said. "I don't even know the guy."
The assemblyman also said he had abided by all Assembly rules and regulations in his constituent mailings, which Gaughan charged were frequently appearing as Primary Day draws closer.
Robert J. McCarthy
