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Red in a Sea of Blue chats with Rick Schenker

I had the opportunity last week to interview Rick Schenker, the former Erie County Executive and a Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor. I’ve condensed it down to some of the key points he made.

Enjoy!

On why he’s running:

“I looked at the Lt. Gov. position as one of two things—a public relations position for somebody who is looking to enhance their political future, or, from my perspective, a position of media influence to attract the general public’s attention for addressing problems that stem from corruption in government. That’s why I’m interested, not building my career.”

On what “challenging corruption” means:

Schenker wants lawmakers to be required to report family earning in their entirety, including those from spouses. He wants to change ethics enforcement, overhaul he says is needed to “clip the horns of the state legislature.” He also advocates term limits and reducing the size and cost of the General Assembly, which he acknowledges “makes legislators very uncomfortable.”

On being Lt. Gov:

“The only limitations lieutenant governors have are the ones they place on themselves.”

On his campaign:

Schenker said he’s still considering if and how to move forward, and thus hasn’t started fundraising, which he’ll need to do in a crowded GOP primary field.

“If you want a Lt. Gov. that will wave their hands at a parade,” he said, “pick another candidate.”

He considers himself the “rebel” in the field.

October 5, 2009 at 12:45 pm

--Daniel Livingston

Tags: Lt. Gov., Rick Schenker

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