Senate candidate's use of deceased ally's image questioned

As part of his bid for a State Senate seat, Republican candidate Bob Cohen has dusted off some old campaign TV spots and handouts from his unsuccessful 2010 bid to unseat Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer in the upstate 37th District.

The ads feature a montage of scenes with Cohen touting his record as a family man, successful business owner and alternative to "career politicians." But since those ads and mailers were produced more than two years ago, one of the supporters featured, Stanley Fuchs, a New Rochelle businessman and family friend, died.

Opponents of Cohen pounced on the revelation but Fuchs' family said it supports Cohen's Senate bid and the reuse of his image in Cohen's 2012 Senate campaign.

"Bob Cohen is a close family friend," said Steven Fuchs, one of his sons. "We are delighted that my father's living memory continues on in Bob's campaign ad."

Cohen's campaign spokesman said Fuchs was a longtime backer and said his family supported and continues to be behind his candidacy, but said the campaign will remove Fuchs' image from any future materials.

Still, Cohen's Republican rival seized on the apparent oversight by the New Rochelle businessman's campaign.

"He's recycling old stuff and using a deceased man's image," said John Russo, campaign manager for North Castle councilwoman Diane DiDonato-Roth, who is challenging Cohen in the Sept. 13 GOP primary. "It's disgraceful."