FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW YORK, NY - May 15, 2008
Paul Newell's grassroots campaign to unseat Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has moved into new headquarters in a 500 sq. ft. space located at 26 Bowery. The office is situated in the heart of Chinatown, and the heart of the 64th Assembly District. "We are campaigning aggressively in every part of our district, and a centrally located office is key to that strategy." It is yet another sign of the strength of the campaign as it gains momentum and support from residents across Lower Manhattan.
Newell has hired Evan Hutchison to serve as Campaign Manager; Evan previously worked as the Regional Director in New Hampshire for Gen. Wesley Clark's presidential bid in 2004. In the same year, Hutchison was also the State Director of the Young Voter Project in Ohio, his initiative was able to increase voter turnout by 30% in the targeted precincts. "Traditionally, the New York machine has depended on low turnout in primaries to maintain power." Hutchison explained, "We intend to break that pattern." As part of his field-based strategy, Newell has already knocked on over 4,500 doors in the district. The campaign has also enlisted Muwu A. Li to serve in the capacity of Deputy Campaign Manager and Sean Herman as Petition Coordinator.
Paul Newell is mounting a challenge to one of the most entrenched New York politicians in history. The Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver has been in office for 32 years and has not faced an opponent in 22 years. Newell is the first serious challenger Silver has faced in over a decade the challenger has not gone unnoticed by Silver.
Newell, a 32 year old community organizer, is campaigning on a message of change and reform, saying "only when we have a state government that responds to us and not the big donors will we get the affordable housing, quality schools and livable streets that our communities deserve"
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