2000 NY Democratic Senate Primary JFK Jr. vs. Hillary Rodham Clinton

[YRABNNRM]

Lets say that July 1999 comes and goes and John F. Kennedy Jr. is still living. He gets a sudden feeling that he wants to follow the road that his father and his uncles did and files candidacy for NY Senate.

However he is quickly faced with opposition as first lady Hillary Clinton announces her candidacy as well.

What does the race look like?

[YRABNNRM]

I was expecting this to be a much more interesting thread...

[Lincoln Republican]

In November, 1999, 40 year old John F. Kennedy Jr. announces he will seek the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate for the 2000 election.  He gets the endorsement of some big name New York Democrats, including Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Comptroller Alan Havesi, and Public Advocate Mark Green.  Kennedy also manages to get the endorsement of two former New York Democratic Governors, Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo.

Most expect Kennedy's profile and his name will be enough to defeat any potential challenger for the Democratic nomination, and any Republican challenger in the senate election, and carry him into the U.S. Senate.  Some New York Democrats, however, express concern that a race against Republican New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani would be tough.

Prominent members of the Kennedy family, as always, when a Kennedy runs for public office, help out in the campaign.  John's uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, does his part, as does his cousin, Representative Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island.  Also putting in appearances are another cousin, Maria Shriver, and her husband, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Although a Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger is pleased to lend his support to John Kennedy Jr. to become the Democratic candidate for the Senate.  Ethel Kennedy, the widow of one time New York Senator Robert Kennedy, makes a public endorsement of her nephew.

Things seem to be going smoothly, and on stream for an easy win, both in the primary, and for the senate election, until 53 year old First Lady Hillary Clinton announces that she wants to represent New York in the United States Senate, and will seek the nomination for the 2000 Senate election.

Hillary Clinton as well brings some high profile endorsements into the contest in support of her candidacy, including, most notably, the President of the United States, her husband, Bill Clinton, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Representative Charlie Rangel, and Representative Nita Lowey.

Retiring Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan says good things about both candidates, and remains neutral.

The race for the nomination attracts interest nation wide, and becomes one of the most expensive nomination battles in history.  The high profile of both candidates attracts intensive media coverage.  Both campaigns are well financed.  The mere fact that the son of a former President, and the wife of the current President, are competing against each other in this high profile race, attracts extraordinary public interest.

The Kennedy campaign labels Clinton as a "carpetbagger," while the Clinton campaign labels Kennedy as "riding on the family name."

In the end, the Kennedy name, the Kennedy money, and the fascination the public still has with John F. Kennedy Jr., wins the nomination with a vote of 53% to 47%.

John F. Kennedy Jr. does not face Rudy Giuliani for the Senate race after all, as Giuliani withdraws from the race due to health reasons, combined with the fact he was going through some personal problems at this time as well.  The Kennedy campaign was pleased, as Giuliani was the Republican they believed would be the toughest competitor. 

Kennedy goes on to defeat Republican Representative Ric Lazio with a vote of 54% to 46%.

ALTERNATE ENDING

The Democratic primary between John Kennedy Jr. and Hillary Clinton is so bitter and so divisive, that the New York state Democratic Party is badly split, with bitter feelings and animosity between the two factions, and does not fully come together for the election.  In the primary, Kennedy defeats Clinton with a vote of 50.1% to 49.9%. 

New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is in excellent health, and any personal problems he has had have long since been resolved.  Giuliani is chosen without opposition as the Republican candidate for Senator.  The New York Republican Party, conservative wing, moderate wing, liberal wing, is united, and is determined to win the election and elect at least one  Republican Senator from New York. 

Giuliani attracts almost all of the Republican vote in all parts of the state, and, as is the case with Giuliani, his appeal crosses party lines, and he wins a substantial portion of the Democratic vote as well, particularly in New York City, where the people very much approve of his record as Mayor. 

Giuliani defeats Kennedy in the Senate election with a vote of 55% to 45%.

The Kennedy campaign did not anticipate such a high profile challenger as Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, or that the Democratic primary would be so close and so divisive.  The Kennedy campaign was hoping that the Republican candidate would not be Rudy Giuliani.

These factors combined to create a situation that spelled defeat for John F. Kennedy Jr.

[YRABNNRM]

That was interesting. Thanks for writing that up.

[Lincoln Republican]

No problem.

As you live in New York, and are, evidently, supporting Bill Weld for Governor, who, by the way, I believe would make a fine Governor, can you shed some light for me on the Decker College situation?

According to the Democrats, "mystery surrounds Decker College, a vocational school Bill Weld led until October, that went bankrupt and was charged with several counts of fraud."

Democrats in New York want Bill Weld to "come clean," answer questions, and to clear the air in this matter.

Just what is the story, and the potential fallout in this matter?

   

[YRABNNRM]

To tell you the truth I don't know much about the situation. I read an article a month or so ago and I haven't heard anything since.

[jerusalemcar5]

Hate to bump an old thread, but Hillary wouldn't have challenged a real Democrat in a primary.  She almst didn't run because Rep. Lowey was considering a run.  If JFK, Jr. had already announced she would've turned it down because she's a loyal Democrat (along with those you named as her endorsers).

[True Democrat]

At the time: JFK/JFK

In retrospect: Hillary/JFK

[Defarge]

Yeah, Lowey should have become Senator, though Hillary's doing fine.

[YRABNNRM]

Hate to bump an old thread, but Hillary wouldn't have challenged a real Democrat in a primary.  She almst didn't run because Rep. Lowey was considering a run.  If JFK, Jr. had already announced she would've turned it down because she's a loyal Democrat (along with those you named as her endorsers).

That may be realistically what would happen but it's not the scenario.

[minionofmidas]

not at all / Hilary. (voted Hilary/Hilary)

[Nym90]

Kennedy.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

As someone who actually voted in the 2000 Democratic Senate primary (I voted Hillary voted the minor candidate running against her), I would have voted JFK Jr.