How 100 years of the Democratic rule has shaped the city of Albany
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Albany County Democratic boss Dan O Connell, undated. (Bernie Kolenberg, Times Union archives/Courtesy William Kennedy)
ALBANY One can argue whether the Albany Democratic machine was good or evil or how much of it remains today, but this much is indisputable: It has etched itself into American political history as one for the ages.
It has been 100 years since the O’Connell-Corning Democratic machine seized control of City Hall in 1921 by defeating the entrenched Barnes Republican machine. The Democrats have not relinquished power since.
Albany ranks first as the longest run of uninterrupted Democratic rule, longer than Boston (since 1930), Chicago (1931), St. Louis (1949), Philadelphia (1951), Buffalo (1962) or any other deep-blue city in the nation.
by coming here today we are sending a powerful message. we will not let anything or anyone divide us. we will not see control of our country to corruption, greed, and the powerful interests. we will keep showing up, and we will keep fighting back. the fight ahead may seem daunting, but there is hope when we look down at our feet and see whose shoulders we stand on. we all have heroes that inspire us in this struggle. my grandmother polly noonan was one of mine. she would have been proud standing here today with all of you. she was larger than life.