Campaign Roundup, Feb. 17

State Senate

State Sen. Mark Grisanti reportedly has locked up the Independence Party nod.

The Buffalo NAACP is not happy with Grisanti’s proposed district.

2013 Mayoral Race

Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz says New York “would survive” any of the mayoral hopefuls.

Comptroller John Liu gave perhaps the first-even State of the City address for a comptroller, amid a run of tough press.

Liu focused on defending public employee pensions.

Staten Island

The Romney campaign is distancing itself from embattled Rep. Michael Grimm.

The New Yorker ponders Grimm’s situation.

Former congressman/Staten Island BP Guy Molinari is planning a weekend rally for Grimm.

GOP Assemblyman Lou Tobacco won’t seek re-election.

Queens

Assemblyman Rory Lancman gave a speech on education policy.

Elsewhere

The NYC Campaign Finance Board handed out a number of fairly small fines.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo mocked “tirades” by good government groups.

Cuomo is beginning to transfer redistricting responsibility to the courts.

Members of NY-LEAD, the group pushing campaign finance reform, have themselves given $521,000 to campaigns.

Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari says he’s not retiring.

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