Governor Paterson has issued a proclamation calling for Special Elections to be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, to fill vacancies in New York State Assembly districts in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Westchester counties.

These are the seats formerly held by Members of Assembly Eddington (D-Medford) in the 3rd Assembly District, Walker (R-Hicksville) in the 15th Assembly District, Weprin (D-Queens) in the 24th Assembly District, and Bradley (D-White Plains) in the 89th District.

The 3rd Assembly Seat (Murray vs. Thoden)

Dean Murray is running in Suffolk County against Lauren Thoden.  Mr. Murray will appear on the Republican, Conservative and School Tax Relief lines. He is a small businessman and community leader having organized one of the first Long Island-based Tea Parties.  He was instrumental in publishing the "Fugitive Finder,” that has helped successfully apprehend 231 criminals in New York.

Mr. Murray has indicated his support for the pro-life, pro-family position.

Ms. Lauren Thoden is an attorney carrying the Democrat and Working Families Party lines, and has been endorsed by State Labor’s AFL-CIO. Ms. Thoden put herself through Stony Brook University and then Hofstra Law School, and has worked for the New York State Supreme Court in the Appellate Division.

On January 22, 2010, the Long Island Progressive Coalition released the following missive on behalf of Ms. Thoden:

“The loss in Massachusetts shows progressives that who is elected matters and that     special elections can send a powerful message that resonate well beyond state or district     borders.  On the federal level, health care and immigration reform has been slowed down,     if not stopped. We need to make sure this does not happen in New York State by     protecting the     Assembly and the Senate from being taken over by people who are against     government. What happened in Massachusetts doesn't have to happen on Long Island.

If he (Murray) is elected to a seat held by a Democrat, it will only embolden the tea party     right and hurt progressive causes throughout Long Island.”

The 15th Assembly Seat (Montesano v. Meng)

In Nassau County, Mike Montesano, formerly with New York City Police Department where he reached the rank of Detective, is challenging Matthew Meng.  Mr. Montesano is carrying the Republican, Independent, and Conservative lines.

After law school Montesano opened his own office in Glen Cove, New York.  He is the Acting Village Justice for the village of Roslyn Harbor and received the"Practitioner of the Year" Award from the Nassau County Criminal Court’s Bar Association.

Mr. Matthew Meng will appear on the Democratic line. He is a self-described civic leader, an environmentalist and a small-business owner.  Meng is the owner and operator of The Little Garage, a Huntington-based auto repair center specializing in German cars. He believes it is time to “send a mechanic to fix Albany.”  Meng appears to be a fiscal conservative, who will focus on campaign finance reform. He favors same-sex marriage and abortion rights.

The 89th Assembly Seat (Castelli vs. Harckham)

With more than 20 years in law enforcement including service on the Organized Crime Task Force, Robert Castelli in Westchester County is battling Peter Harckham.  Castelli is a veteran and small businessman operating a security consulting business. He has been seen providing expert advice to television and print media on criminal justice and homeland security matters.  Castelli will appear on the Republican, Independent and Conservative lines.

Peter Harckham, a Westchester County legislator and communications professional, is carrying the Democratic and Working Families Party banner. He is the President of Harckham Media Group, and an established civic leader.

The 24th Assembly Seat (Friedrich vs. Weprin)

Bob Friedrich, an entrepreneur and business owner, and an unusual candidate.  He is a registered Democrat, who is carrying the Republican and Conservative lines.  He has served as the President and Board Member of Glen Oaks Village, a cooperative community of 10,000 residents for more than 15 years.

David Weprin is the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate fighting Friedrich for the New York State Assembly seat. David Weprin is seeking the seat vacated by his brother Michael Weprin (who recently won a City Council seat).

This is the race that appears to be heating up in recent days.  Apparently Mr. Friedrich told Queens County Conservative Party Chair Tom Long that he was opposed to same-sex marriage, but has since told editorial boards that he is favor of gay marriage. Mr. Weprin also favors same-sex marriage, but it is still unknown how this late development will affect the race.

Rev. Jason J. McGuire, NYFRF President, exhorts Christians with these words, “If you reside in these Assembly districts, take your responsibility to vote seriously, and get out the vote! We need to view our civic responsibility as a sacred stewardship of the freedoms and the values that God has entrusted to our care. Defend them with every opportunity you have to cast a ballot.”