Elephant walk

Switching teams

by Seth Gitell

WILL Golden regret his endorsement?

State Representative Brian Golden of Brighton may find himself in hot water next election season. Several weeks ago, Golden, a Democrat, endorsed the presidential bid of Republican nominee George W. Bush.

On the surface, Golden's endorsement of a Republican in a heavily Democratic state -- and district -- seems to make little sense. Does Golden expect Governor Paul Cellucci to arrange a judgeship for him? Does he expect favors from a Bush administration?

Golden says his support for Bush is rooted in the two years he spent in Texas as a lawyer in the Army's Judge Advocate Corps. He adds that he's impressed with Bush's success with education reform. But the most probable explanation may actually be that it's as simple as it appears to be: Golden is an old-fashioned conservative Democrat whose political beliefs jibe with Bush's more than with Gore's.

Like Bush, Golden is pro-life, which may have been a major factor in the endorsement. "It doesn't hurt that we share the same position on the issue, but I believe I would have taken the step regardless," says Golden. "I'm pro-life. That's no secret to anybody."

Golden, who holds the seat once held by Susan Tracy, says he's not afraid of facing opposition in 2002. "It's probably too early to discern what's going to happen," he says. "I wouldn't be at all surprised if I have an opponent in 2002." Still, Golden says he has no regrets: "It's a great job, but I'll do it on my terms."