Hey folks. Want to help turn the State Senate blue?

If you're anything like me, I know that all the money you can spare is probably already going into political donations. But that isn't going to stop me from pitching you on a few races that could turn the NY State Senate blue for the first time since 1964, and hope maybe some of you have an extra few bucks.

Before I list the other highlighted races, I must throw a plug in here for my own home district. Kathy Konst is an Erie County legislator who's going up against Dale Volker--a guy who's been in the State Senate here for around 34 years, and done little but roost and be a typical Republican all that time. Despite all that, Volker's beatable--he barely survived a primary earlier this year, and people are unhappy. She's a good candidate, and a good lady, and she's got a shot if things fall in her favor. A little help from the people on the internet would go a long way towards doing that.

Lately, it's not enough that Volker gerrymandered himself a district to stay in office--he's had goons going around intimidating and harassing people who signed ballot access petitions for Kathy, and he's suing to try and get her thrown off the second line she got on the ballot. He's even subpoenaed 90-odd people who did nothing wrong other than exercise their rights to sign a petition, so that he can drag them into court.

So if you've got even a few extra bucks, it would make a big difference.

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/21074

Now, on to others. You may have heard of Joe Mesi, undefeated heavyweight boxer. You may not have heard that he's also a surprisingly astute guy considering how often he's been punched in the head, and having retired from boxing he's now running for the State Senate as a Democrat.

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19619

Andrea Stewart-Cousins is attempting to win back the Senate seat she lost a couple years ago by a handful of votes.

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/15246

Paloma Capanna is an up and coming young lady who's receiving rave reviews for the strength of her grassroots campaign.

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/18200

Brian Foley is running against 36-year incumbant Cesar Trunzo, a man who's so completely out of touch that he can't even bring himself to appear in his own TV ads, or show his face in public.

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/20512

I know the temptation is to throw all your resources into the presidential campaign, but government matters on every level, folks.