Jun. 15 1U0! ii:S AN No. bol .

June 21, 2007

Mr. David Granville

EndorsementlGOTV Committee
Stonewall Democrats of Western New York
I'0 Box 857
Buffalo, New York 14205

Dear 1VIr. Granville:

I request the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats arid look forward to meeting with
you and members of your organization on June 26.

I am seeking the office of Brie County Clerk because I believe the voters deserve the
most qualified, experienced person for the position of Erie County Clerk. My qualifications are
second to none -- as Dave Swarts' first deputy for four years, I was charged with running the
operations—personnel, budget, legislation, annual reports and media relations. Following the
red budget/green budget fiasco, we faced serious challenges, but through it all, the Clerk's Office
emerged as the voice of reason cautioning that you can't cut one of the prime revenue generators
for the County. I know this job; I've been doing the job exclusively since January 2 without
missing a beat. That is why, based upon my experience and qualifications, Governor Spitzer, on
April 16, 2007, appointed me Erie County Clerk to fill the vacancy created when Dave Swarts
was appointed NYS Commissioner of Motor Vehicles

As I travel throughout New York State, I am constantly reminded that the Erie County
Clerk's Office is a role model for innovation, efficiency and technological advancement across
the state. I am not one to rest on those laurels; therefore, I will continue to build upon our
reputation. I am pleased to report that with 1/3 of the year behind us, the Clerk's office is
averaging about 34% of our revenue targets, which demonstrates sound budgeting practices.

27 Friends of Kathy Hochul PO Box 539 Hamburg, NY 14075

Jun. 15. IOUI 11:b9A ! No. U! r. 1

I am convening an ad hoc financial advisory group to take a took at our cash management
practices and principles to ensure that we are doing everything we can to earn extra dollars
through investments with the Comptrollers office,

I will continue to fight the Thruway tolls, Everyone ls.happy to take credit, but every
movement begins with someone who is willing to fight the status quo. Over the past decade, I
have been the leading force mobilizing community, political and medical support for the removal
of the tolls. -

As County Clerk, I am devoted to the simple principle that all customers are entitled to
outstanding service, regardless of race, religion or sexual preference. I am proud that I have
succeeded in building a reputation based on fairness and professionalism. My staff is directed to
treat everyone equally well and in fostering this climate, I have not received complaints of
discriminatory treatment based upon sexual preference from members of the public. Sexual
orientation is a non-issue in the realm that I oversee in the County Clerks Office,

I agree that there are many issues left unresolved that face the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender community that must-be addressed at the County, State and Federal levels of
government. While I do not have direct influence over public policy. I will certainly use any
influence I have to accomplish objectives identified by the Stonewall Democrats of Western
New York, Extending benefits to domestic partners at all levels of government, including
bereavement leave, adoption, workers compensation, crime victims' benefits and giving
domestic partners protection against domestic violence are all areas where I support legislative
solutions. Most of the issues outlined in your questionnaire. I wholeheartedly support, although
there are some that I am not as familiar with.

I will be happy to sign a pledge to conduct my campaign in a truthful, fair and clear
manner and will, as always, conduct myself in a manner conducive to a civil, issue-oriented
debate. Further, I will be pleased to attend any forums within the GI,BT community

The endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats is important to me because of the

reputation you have earned as a strong voice for your members, and the political force you have
become in campaigns. I truly believe that 2007 will be a turning point for Democratic politics at
all levels. However, I take nothing for granted. I will run with an underdog mentality that keeps
me keenly attuned to the needs of voters. Your support not just on paper, but on the phones and
in the streets, will be an integral part of my hopes for success in November.

I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Courtney Hochul

Erie County Clerk
Attachment: Questionnaire
Ju g
25 2001 12: UUf'M Ida 7ui r. j

STONEWALL DEMOCRATS of West. New York

PO Box 857, Buffalo, NY 14205 Wcbs+tc: to n^ w 1ldew c ati eaycom

2007 ENDORSEMENT 0 IIES TIONNAM- ERIE COUNTY CLERK

Name: KathyCourtney Hochul

FQ Box 1143
Cam ai Address: Bufalo, New York 14202

Daytime Phone; 716-515-8322 Evening Phone: 716 648-2663

Fax Number: E-mail: Q (IV c o • tar^..^

Office Sought: Erie County Clerk

PajtyAft1liation: Democrat

Before you continue, please understand that:

• Stonewall Democrats of WN Y' may publici ze your responses in press releases and voters guides, on our web site, and
via other channels of communication. Stonewall Democrats of WNY will also identify candidates who fail to respond to
this questionnaire.
• Stonewall Democrats will hold you publicly accountable for actions inconsistent with your responses during your
campaign and if elected during your term in office.

Please submit you typewritten responses to the following questions on a separate sheet.

1) Why are you seeking this off lee?

2) Why are you seeking the endorsement of the Stonewall Democrats of W AI's'?
3) What three ism es do you consider to be most important to the people served by the office you seek? For each issue:
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken--either as a public official or as a private citizen-
-to bring about positive-change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek.
4) What three civil rights issues do you perceive to be the most important to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and trausgender
(QLST) community? For each issue:
a) Provide an example of specific action(s) you have previously taken--either as a public official or as a private citizen-
-to bring about positive change relative to this issue; and
b) Specify what additional action(s) in regard to this issue you intend to propose if elected to the office you seek
5) Stonewall Democrats of WNY strongly believes that candidates have a responsibility to provide votes with truthful, fair
and clean campaignsfor public office and to ccrnth4d themselves In a manner conducive ^a a civil, issue- oriented debate
with theirfellow candidates. Will you sign a' ritten pledge to conduct your campaign accordingly?
6) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of Y, will you list the endorsement on all applicable campaign literature
(i.e., all literature listing any other endorsements)?
7) If endorsed by the Stonewall Democrats of WNY, will you attend a GOT community forum to introduce endorsed
candidates?

Although the office you seek has no direct authority in local or state legislative matters, if elected you will have the ability to
indirectly influence the region's local, state and federal elected officials. Please indicate your support or opposition for:

LeglsJation/Isaua Favor 'Oppose

A.65B4IS3753 - GII1 A (DuaneJGottilied):
ugendcr
Prohibits discrimination based on gender xx
identity or expression; defines identity or expression" as having or being
perceived as having a gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression
whether or not that gender identity, self image, appearance behavior or expression is
different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth;
further includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of
offenses subject to treatment as hate crimes.
Jun. 25. 2001 12:UON Igo. W1 F. 4

Legislation/Issue Favor Oppose

A 1613 - SAFETY Act (Scarborough): Atrthcrixee the office of children and family
services to establish policies and procedures affording all children in OCFS facilities an
environment free of harassment and discrimination based on actual or perceived race,
national origin, ethnic group, religion, disabili ty, sexual orientation, gender or sex;
requiros reporting harassment and diserhuination.
Marri age Equality Will (Duane/ODonnell): The domestic relations law is amended by
adding a now section to read as follows: A marriage that is otherwise valid shall be vali + .
erdless of whether the parties to the matriag^ are of the same or different sex.
S 1835/ Equal seem to Family Courts for domestic partners (Duane):Provides that
orders of prot ection may he entered against any member of the same family or
household; expands the definition of" me mbers of the sane fancily or household", for
purposes of issuance of orders of protection an d temporary orders Of protection and the
concurrent jurisdiction of family courts and criminal courts, to former s pouse whether or
not living together and unrelated persons who continually or at regular inter vals reside in
the same household or have done so in the past, and persons who are or have been in a
dating or intimate relationship whether or not they have ever lived to ctlher-
A. 349618.1571- Dignity For All Studenta Act: Enacts the "Dignity For All Students Xx
Act " ; authorizes the commissioner of education to establish policies and procedures
affording all students in p ublic schools an environment free of harassment and
discrimination based on actual or perceived race, national origin, ethnic group, religion,
disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex; requires reporting harassment and
discrimination to such commission; makes exemptions.
S 2tlOOIA 4978 - New York State Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
(Maltese/5eminerio): Maces a marriage absolutely void if contracted by two persons of
the same sex.
A5845 - Workers Compensation benefits for domestic partners (Sohn): Includes XX
domestic partners in certain provisions concerning disability benefits and defines the
tam domestic artner.
A 2196 - Bereavement Leave for domestic partners (Chick): Provides that x^t
bereavement leave be granted to individuals involved in same-sex relationships on the
same basis as those granted employees es who are married.
A38691SMBOO - Domest ic Partnership (Click): To provide legal status for domestic
partnerships and to extend provisions of laws that currently apply to spouses or next-of-
kin to domesticpartners.
County GIINDA - Gender Non-Discrimination Act.- Prohibit discrimination based on xx
gender identity or expression; dctane "gender identity or expression" as having or being
perceived as having a gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression that
is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth
County Domestic Partnership Legislation: To provide legal status for domestic
partnerships and to extend provisions of laws that currently appty to spouses or next-of li
kin to domestic partners.
ounty Bere avement Leave for domestic partners. Provide that bereavement leave be 7=:
granted to ind ividuals involved in same-sex relationships on the same basis at those
y
granted to emplo ees who are married.

I attest that this questio maire rep is my opinion of the issues on this questionnaire:

Candidate's Signature. ^' .k1T.Lf Date: June 22, 2007

Please complete the attached issues surveys, sign below and return questionnaire, surveys and your rdsun to-
Stonewall Democrats of WNY
PO Box 857
Buf alo, NY 14205-O 57

Or fax to: (716)462-5052

&asewnil Dsmoc*alo H'NY— Ene County Clerk 2007 Quesriormaire, page 2