For Immediate Release — Cynthia Appleton, candidate for the State Senate in the 59th District, announced today that she received a contribution yesterday from the New York Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, and that she is returning the DSCC money.

“In light of last week’s very troubling report of the the State Inspector General about the conduct of some members of the State Senate leadership regarding the AEG bid, this is not money I can accept,” Appleton stated. “I also want to make it clear that I could not in good conscience vote for anyone under investigation for a leadership position once I become a Senator. I have spent this campaign talking to voters about reforming Albany not because it’s a campaign tactic, but because it’s what I believe we must do.”

Appleton is running on a platform that includes calling for real ethics reforms, so that legislators won’t be able to police themselves anymore, independent non-partisan redistricting, term limits, and greater transparency in Senate conduct. “I will not bring any conflicts of interest to Albany with me, because I will make serving the people of the 59th District my only job. I will retire from my career as a nurse and make the work of representing the voters my only concern. No outside income, no clients, no ulterior motives,” Appleton said.

Yesterday morning, October 25, at the WGRZ debate among the candidates for the 59th State Senate seat, Appleton asserted that her campaign was “unbought and unbossed,” powered by grassroots support rather than money from the DSCC. When the DSCC check arrived later in the day, Appleton immediately decided to return it.

“It was clearly the only thing to do, despite the fact that we could certainly use the money for last minute advertising.” The DSCC check was for $2,500, but only $1,428.57 represents DSCC funds; the remaining $1,071.43 is money the Democratic Rural Conference gave to the DSCC with the express purpose of funding Democratic Senate candidates in rural districts like the 59th, and that money has no connection to the DSCC fundraising marred by connections to the AEG scandal.

“With a check for $1,428.57 going back to the DSCC immediately, I am proud to say we remain independent, unbought and unbossed,” Appleton concluded.

Press contact:
Judith Hunter
Campaign Manager
(585) 615-2986

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