As ballots continue to be counted in the hotly contested inter-party race among New York’s five Democratic primary candidates for attorney general Tuesday night, the mood at Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice’s campaign headquarters on Long Island is upbeat and jovial.
Democratic Attorney General hopeful Kathleen Rice, right, makes a point as fellow contenders Eric Schneiderman, left and Richard Brodsky listen during their debate in New York Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010. The five candidates for the Democratic nomination for New York Attorney General participated in a televised debate in New York City. (AP Photo/Marcus Yam, Pool)
Early poll numbers showed the two-term district attorney, a former prosecutor at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, ahead by as much as 10 percent.
Various genres of music plays throughout the speakers of the main ballroom at Chateau Briand Caterers in Carle Place, as blue, white and yellow balloons only further the celebratory atmosphere. Supporters, about 70—including New York Power Authority Chief Executive Officer Richie Kessel and former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman—enjoy food, beverages and talk away the anticipation. Nassau County and New York State Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs is also in attendance.
“We feel good!” Rice’s campaign spokesman Eric Phillips exclaims to the Press. “It’s very early. We’re very optimistic and the energy is high in the Rice campaign right now.”
Rice, walking arm-in-arm with her father Laurence, 85, joined supporters at the location at around 10 p.m.
She is facing off against four other Democratic primary candidates for attorney general: New York State Sen. Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan), former state insurance superintendent and assistant attorney general Eric Dinallo, attorney and former federal prosecutor Sean Coffey and Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D- Westchester).
Albany in the Balance Amid Gov Race
