After his own contributions from the Independent Democratic Conference were scrutinized, Democratic Senate candidate is highlighting the donations Sen. Neil Breslin received from the insurance industry compared to the rest of the minority conference.

Morse points out that the money Breslin receives from the industry is more than any other Senate Democrat, though that’s probably because he is the ranking Democratic lawmaker on the Senate Insurance Committee, so the side-by-side comparison with fellow minority conference members is a bit skewed.

The statement from Morse’s campaign suggests that Breslin “must be doing something to earn such loyalty” from insurance lobbyists (though as a Senate Democrat, minority lawmakers have a relatively small role, if at all, in crafting legislation that ultimately is approved).

“Senator Breslin must be doing something to earn such loyalty from the insurance industry, as they shower him with cash and squeeze middle class families,” said Morse. “He’s addicted to their money, and their lobbyists prescribe actions that lead to more middle class pain and suffering.”

“I’m a Democrat. I want to make health care more affordable for working people and the middle class, but Senator Breslin wants to line his pockets with money from a Republican-dominated industry that keeps passing higher costs and burdens onto us.”

“Senator Breslin is too focused on getting funds from big-business lobbyists to get his job done,” said Morse. “We need someone who can win the fight to raise the minimum wage, end unfunded mandates, cut property taxes, and get our fair share of school aid and infrastructure funds. That’s the Senator I’ll be—the kind of Senator that Breslin has failed to be.”

The Breslin-versus-Morse primary is one of the more bitter intraparty feuds this election cycle, with the breakaway four-member conference lining up to support Morse’s election, though the Albany County legislator has said he isn’t necessarily joining the IDC should he be elected.

Update: Senate Democratic spokesman sends over this statement, “Senator Breslin helped lead the fight for affordable health care in New York but unfortunately just this last legislative session Morse’s Republican leaning allies helped block the creation of a New York State Health Exchange endangering the hard working men and women of New York.  Luckily, Governor Cuomo was able to create this health exchange through executive order.”

Breslin Insurance Money Release

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