26th DISTRICT
Kryzan campaign adds Emily’s List backing
WASHINGTON — Alice Kryzan continued to consolidate her support from the Democratic Party establishment Friday, as the winner of the primary in the 26th congressional district won the backing of a leading group dedicated to electing Democratic women to office.
Emily’s List, which helped women candidates raise $11 million in 2006, formally endorsed Kryzan three days after her upset win over Iraq War veteran Jon Powers and industrialist Jack Davis.
“Alice Kryzan has the experience, passion and judgment to tackle the serious issues facing Western New York,” said Ellen R. Malcolm, president of Emily’s List.
Emily’s List has 100,000 members, and it asks them to contribute directly to a select list of candidates in each election. Jonathan Parker, the group’s political director, said it has raised anywhere between tens of thousands and $1 million for various candidates.
Kryzan met with Emily’s List officials while on a trip to Washington that began Thursday. She also met with Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and officials from the AFL-CIO, said Anne Wadsworth, Kryzan’s campaign manager.
Powers left a voice mail message for Kryzan Thursday, congratulating her for her Democratic primary victory. Wadsworth said Powers indicated he is still mulling his options in wake of the primary loss.
Powers remains the candidate of the Working Families Party, although it is not clear whether he will still campaign.
He cannot remove his name from the ballot, but he could endorse Kryzan.
“We’ve talked to Jon,” said Dave Chudy, a Working Families Party spokesman. “He’s talking to his family over the weekend. He’s still devastated.”
The future of Powers’ candidacy is important because third-party candidates in New York often draw enough votes to affect election results. Chudy said he expects the Working Families Party — the first major entity to endorse Powers — to issue a statement with him.
Meanwhile, other onetime Powers supporters continued to gravitate to Kryzan, who will face Christopher Lee, a Republican businessman from Clarence, in the general election.
For example, Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, D-Fairport, s p o k e with Kryzan and is now taking the lead in raising money for Kryzan from other New York Democrats in the House.
