Former Republican state Sen. Michael Balboni, now the state's top homeland security expert, has not lost his electoral touch.
According to party sources in Albany and Nassau County, Senate Republicans in the past month conducted a poll in his old Nassau district showing Balboni would be what one local party official called a "slam dunk" winner over Democratic state Sen. Craig Johnson, who won the office Feb. 6 on the coattails of high-riding new Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
"It wasn't even close," said a second Senate source in Albany who declined to be identified. "Most people probably think Balboni's still the senator."
The poll also shows that even Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell, who lost to Johnson, is "neck and neck" given Spitzer's slide in popularity.
Several sources say Senate Republicans are trying to woo Balboni back, saying that his new state job has put him in a financial squeeze and the job is lower-profile than expected. Skeptics say Balboni would never get Nassau Republican Joseph Mondello's blessing to return.
Balboni said he loves his current post. "The great thing about this job is I don't talk politics anymore," he said.
Rick Brand
Comments (5)
Mondello would take him back in a heartbeat.
If Spitzer's legal problems escalate, look for Balboni to jump back into the Senate seat.
Balboni will always do what's best for Balboni, first, foremost and always.
Balboni -- Once a Jellyfish, always a Jellyfish.
Balboni is far from a stand up individual.He will do what is best for himself, at all times.
It would be a disgrace to let this guy back in the GOP.
If Mondello gives him the nod to run for this seat, then it should be quite clear that he has lost his back bone, and that it is time for old Joe to go.
Johnson is a grade-A HACK hand me down from mother politician. The only thing he cares about is his pay check.
I met Maureen at an event once, she seemed like a nice person. I could vote for her. Maybe she would have a chance in Great Neck now that being backed by Spitzer does not count.
It should be interesting to watch this one unfold.
Johnson is absolutely not a hack. Anybody who has bothered to have paid attention to Albany has been surprised that SENATOR Johnson has on multiple occasions bucked his conference and the Steamroller and voted for his district. Congestion pricing and school aid come to mind. I would rather have him than some guy who left us high and dry for a new job, six weeks after he won an election, or some Right to Life Republican machine HACK who can't even handle being a county clerk. I don't need what I'm sure was some push poll to tell me that.
Have some GOP fat cat lawyer give "MIKEY" a spot in his firm to offset the pay cut he'll get if he goes back to the Senate and its done. Balboni is feckless enough to do it!
R U people nuts? Balboni? That would really bring new meaning to his popular moniker "balphony". Johnson would kick twelve to Sunday. Who would beleive him? He left everyone in the lerch when he defected and he deserves nothing considering he is where he is because he was hand picked by Mondello in the first place to run for the Assembly. If he is the Republicans best shot then the party is certainly in a death spiral.