DFA-List Candidate Announces County Legislature Bid

Written by: volney simmons on Apr 16, 2007 11:11 AM EDT

Here in Rochester, NY, it's a county elections year, and our very own Ted Nixon, a DFA-List legislature candidate in 2005, April 12 declared his candidacy with some help from Jim Dean and Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.

DFA-Lister Ted Nixon declares his candidacy

Ted, currently a middle school teacher and formerly a "turnaround guru" for radio stations, received 45% of the vote the last time he ran. At the time, his opponent was the legislature's powerful incumbent majority leader. This year, due to term limits, Ted will face a first-time challenger for an open seat that represents the suburban communities of East Rochester and Pittsford.

Jim Dean introduces Ted at the East Rochester event

In his remarks, Jim Dean said, "Ted is the type of citizen leader DFA is eager to support. He could have retired from his first career in the media business, but he wanted to do more for his community, so he pursued a second career as a teacher. And now he wants to do more for voters and taxpayers in a real nuts-and-bolts way because he understands the profound effect county government has on daily community life."

Another former DFA-List candidate, Monroe County Legislator Ted O'Brien, introduced Jim Dean by describing the effect DFA-List status had on his campaign. "I ran for legislature three times," he explained. "The first two times, DFA didn't exist yet, and I lost. The third time I ran, two years ago, DFA not only sent me money, but they even provided out-of-state volunteers to help me... and I won! I am profoundly grateful to the national organization, as well to DFA Rochester, one of the most energetic groups of people I know."

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, DFA-Lister Ted O'Brien, and Jim Dean listen to Nixon's announcement.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, a senior House Democrat and Chair of the House Rules Committee (as well as an occasional blogger right here on BFA), spoke movingly of the need for "honesty, integrity and ethics in government. We need to renew our focus on being there to do the right thing for citizens. Ted Nixon is a person who will do that, and I am honored to be a part of this gathering today, supporting Ted."

Joining the speakers were volunteers, media reporters and Democratic Party officials. Joe Morelle, chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party, said the current legislature "has seeped to a place where they do nothing, where they use development corporations as a way to evade responsibility."

Improved oversight of development corporations and other public authorities is one of Ted Nixon's key issues. The county's Water Authority is currently embroiled in a situation regarding $300,000 paid to its former director which a recent audit determined he did not earn and was not eligible to receive.

"Way less than half the residents of Monroe County know who their legislator is. They expect nothing of their County Legislature because they feel it does nothing for them," Ted said in his remarks.

"I spent 24 years turning around radio stations that were in trouble. I learned many things in that process that will help me serve your interests in the County Legislature. The most important is to think outside the box. Be innovative. Never enter a situation thinking it can’t be done. Never think the way we’re doing it now is the best way. And, never ignore a good idea, no matter what its source. The current atmosphere of shut out the Democrats in the County Legislature is just plain bad business, and it’s bad for Monroe County."

Ted Nixon with his wife, Kathy, and daughter, Jessica, at the Pittsford campaign announcement.

So, now it begins. We'll keep Blog for America posted every step of the way. DFA is the greatest!

View Ted's website here.

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Location: Rochester, NY