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Philip “Flip” Pidot is campaigning against State Sen. Liz Krueger on a platform of increased fiscal responsibility and transparency in the state government, attacking so-called “member items,” or undisclosed disbursements of funds to state senators determined by the chamber’s leaders.
Though they can amount to thousands or tens of thousands apiece, member items are not made public in either amount or recipient. That, Pidot argues, is wreaking disaster across the state budget. The problem, he said, is the “culture of complacency in the nearly opaque way in which people’s money is being spent,” he said.
Pidot, whose background is in fraud investigations and investment management, says the culture of fiscal mismanagement during his time living in New York has caused the state government’s deeper dysfunction.
“It’s hard not to feel that way and not take a shot at it,” he said, explaining that he believes the State Senate will have “the most effect on shaping issues” related to his concerns within state government.
Krueger, who has run four previous races, starting with her narrow loss to longtime GOP State Sen. Roy Goodman in 2000, has generally faced well-known, well-funded Republicans. This year, Pidot lacks major financial backing, experience in elected office or high name recognition.
Krueger described a noticeable difference between Pidot and past challengers. “I think the fact that I am fairly popular and, I hope, well respected in my district has made it clear to at least some in the Republican Party that this isn’t quite the right year to focus their resources against me,” she said.
Like her opponent, Krueger has spoken out against member items and other blockades to transparency during her time in office, blaming them on the chamber’s Republican majority. But Pidot accused her of being ineffectual and uncommitted to getting things done.
“She talks frequently about a lot of the right things she should be talking about, but when you drill down below the headline of the press release, there’s nothing there,” he said.
Pidot has put some of his money toward the race, but expects to lag behind in fundraising during the campaign. He has based his office at the Metropolitan Republican Club on East 83rd St., and is taking his campaign to the streets, where he says his views are beginning to gain traction.
“If we have enough conversations on the street, we’ll win,” he said. “It’s easy to convince people when the truth bears you out.”
Krueger said she never underestimates any opponent. She also spoke of the importance of street campaigning, saying it is the best way to meet constituents and voters.
“If they live here, you’re going to see them on the street if you stand there long enough,” she said.
Pidot has also petitioned his way onto the ballot as the candidate of the Growth Party, which he created for the purpose of this run. The new party is a way of hammering home his message of sustainable economic growth and economic prosperity.
Krueger, who is herself also on the ballot line of the Working Families Party, attacked Pidot’s formation of the Growth Party as a tactic to deflect unwanted attention regarding his Republican affiliation. While she has not personally ever discussed politics or policy with Pidot, Krueger said she has been reading the blog on his campaign website, www.flip4ny.com, to familiarize herself with his positions.
Both have moderate to liberal positions on social issues—some local Republicans have openly criticized Pidot’s support of legalizing gay marriage, which he has said is a conclusion reached out of principle. Within this generally socially liberal East Side district, however, Pidot’s position is far from rare.
Krueger also said that when it comes to fiscal issues, “I’m not sure how radically different our positions are,” noting that they diverged on who bears responsibility for the state’s economic problem.
Pidot blames the State Senate, while Krueger blames Republican Gov. George Pataki.
The election, Krueger argued, is about differences in the direction of the New York State government, which she says she wants to “move down a road of progressive reform” on education funding, affordable housing and universal healthcare.
Two debates between the candidates have been scheduled: one on Oct. 22, sponsored and hosted by the Lenox Hill House, and another on Oct. 31, sponsored by the 17th Precinct Community Council and the Sutton Place Synagogue.
The election is Nov. 7.