Latest Campaign News

Albany, NY – Phil Steck, Democratic congressional candidate for New York’s 21st Congressional District announced today that he has been endorsed by County Legislator Shawn Morse, a key political figure in the city of Cohoes. In addition to being a member of the Albany County Legislature, Morse has been a Professional Firefighter for 17 years and was awarded a medal for bravery for saving a woman’s life.

Steck now has nearly 40 local endorsements from throughout the 7 county district. In Albany County, which represents over 55% of the electorate, Steck has dozens of key endorsements in Albany, Colonie, Cohoes, Bethlehem, Watervliet, Guilderland, Menands, New Scotland and Coeymans.

“I am very grateful to have the support of Shawn Morse, a hard working legislator and a well respected professional firefighter,” said Steck. “Shawn is a man of the people who is well known for his willingness to stand up for the things he believes in and he’ll play an instrumental role in my campaign for Congress.”

“I have worked with Phil Steck for the past four years and he is someone who always displays the courage of his convictions,” said Morse. “The people want a new direction in this country and Phil Steck would be a real advocate for the people of Cohoes and the Capital Region in Washington, D.C.”

In 1999, Steck was elected to the Albany County Legislature from a District that had never before elected a Democrat, and at the time he was the only Democrat elected from his town, Colonie, a town of over 80,000 people. As Democratic Chairman in Colonie, Steck played a key role in helping elect the first Democratic government since the Town was founded 112 years ago.

Steck had previously announced the endorsements of New York State Assemblyman Bob Reilly, former State Senator Howard Nolan, Colonie Supervisor Paul Mahan, Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham, Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning, Rensselaer Mayor Dan Dwyer, Albany City Councilwoman Carolyn McLaughlin, and Albany County Legislators Dan McCoy, Wanda Willingham and Luci McKnight among many others.

Steck said that he decided to run for Congress because he believes we need a real change of direction in Washington. That change can only occur if the people of the Capital Region have a leader who will listen to their concerns and work for their interests. Steck has spoken out for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, establishing a single-payer system of health care to assure the quality affordable health care Americans deserve, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.