Massa not going quietly

With an abrupt resignation followed by at least three different explanations, and charges of both sexual harassment and Democratic Party conspiracies, the twisting tale of now-former Rep. Eric Massa has gone from regional political story to national curiosity.

The Democratic congressman’s abrupt resignation, and the reasons behind it, have echoed all the way up to the White House, where President Obama’s spokesman brushed aside allegations by Massa that he was forced out office by the administration and Democratic leaders because of his opposition to health care reform.

Interviewed on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked about the assertions, made by Massa Sunday during a local radio show.

“I think this whole story is ridiculous,” Gibbs said. “I think the latest excuse is silly and ridiculous.” He accused Massa of continually changing the reasons for leaving Congress.

Massa, whose resignation became official at 5 p.m. Monday, was to take to the national stage today to tell his story, on both the Glenn Beck and Larry King Live television shows.

Facing a harassment complaint from a male staffer, Massa said Friday he would step down from his seat. Days earlier, he had announced he wouldn’t seek re-election because of health problems.

One of 39 Democrats who voted against an earlier House version of the health care bill in November, Massa said in his weekly radio address Sunday that Democratic leaders will “stop at nothing” to advance the health care overhaul.

“Mine is now the deciding vote on the health care bill,” Massa said on WKPQ-FM in Hornell. “And this administration and this House leadership have said, quote-unquote, they will stop at nothing to pass this health care bill.

“Now they’ve gotten rid of me and it will pass. You connect the dots.”

Who will run?
With all the turmoil taking place in Washington D.C. and Albany, there’s one thing political leaders in the 29th Congressional District agree on: People here need a representative in Washington. And party leaders are doing what they can to make that happen.

“This is about trying to get a representative, because if that seat remains vacant until January we would have no vote in Congress,” said Ontario County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Judy Baker.

Her GOP counterpart, Ontario County Republican Committee Chairman Jay Dutcher, is also concerned.

“Constituents deserve representation,” he said.

Both said they anticipate Gov. David Paterson, who has the authority to call a special election, will do so, though the upheaval in Albany over alleged misconduct by the governor’s office, unrelated to Massa, could delay the process.

Once the governor calls a special election, it’s up to each political party to put forward a candidate.
The chairman of each county political party in the district has a vote in determining that candidate, with the weight of each chairman’s vote based on the number of voters in that county in the last congressional election.

The special election could take place as early as late April, said Dutcher.

Meanwhile, the list of possible candidates became clearer Monday.

On the GOP side, Tom Reed of Corning remained the only announced candidate. But it’s likely Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks will enter the race.

She “is seriously considering a run,” said Noah Lebowitz, director of the Monroe County Communications Department. “She is consulting with her family,” and advisers, he said Monday, and she “hopes to make a decision by the end of the week.”

Monroe County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich said the party has yet to choose who it will designate but indicated it may well be Brooks.

“We don’t even know the full slate yet,” said Reilich. “But I would have to say she would be the front-runner.”

Reilich added former GOP Congressman Randy Kuhl, who held the seat before losing to Massa in 2008, has contacted him about running.

“It’s a little bit of a quagmire,” he said.

Dutcher, who supported Kuhl in previous elections, said Kuhl’s interest wouldn’t change his support for Reed, who announced his candidacy last summer and was officially endorsed by the Ontario County GOP in February.

“We have a candidate who has earned a spot on the ticket,” said Dutcher, citing Reed’s commitment to the district early on.

Retired GOP Congressman Amo Houghton also committed Monday to sticking with Reed. Houghton and former congressman Bill Paxon are honorary co-chairmen of the Reed for Congress team.

“Tom came up to me and asked if I’d support him and I thought about it a long time,” said Houghton, who added that he went to grade school with Reed’s father and described candidate Reed as “a good man, a solid follow.”

“I told him I’d work with him,” said Houghton. “It’s a crazy scene out there,” he added, referring to Washington politics. “Loyalty is one thing I understand.”

Democrats won’t be shy of candidates, either.

Though a few who indicated interest were eliminated Monday, several others have emerged.

Those not seeking the seat include: Canandaigua Mayor Ellen Polimeni; Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, who is also chairman of the Steuben County Democratic Committee; and Monroe County District Attorney Mike Green.

Polimeni said she enjoys her work with the city.

“I feel we can accomplish things more quickly (locally) than at the state or federal levels,” she said.

Monroe County Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Morelle said those who have said they would consider running include Assemblyman David Koon, who represents the 135th Assembly district; Brighton Town Supervisor Sandy Frankel; Pittsford businessman David Nachbar, who ran against state Sen. Jim Alesi, R-Perinton in 2008; and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, whose 125th district includes the Ithaca area.

“Quite a few people have been approached,” said Baker, who leads the Ontario County Democrats. “I am confident we will have a Democratic candidate.”

“Everyone is out shaking the bushes,” added Morelle. “We weren’t anticipating having to find a candidate. It’s been interesting.”

Messenger Post reporters Fred Schühle and Kevin Fuller contributed to this report.