David Lombardo is reporting at Capitol Confidential Dr. Scott Noren, an Ithaca-based oral surgeon, is quietly conducting a write-in campaign for U.S. Senate. Among other things, Noren has purchased space on an Albany billboard to let Democrats know they have an alternative to incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand on November 6. He served in the U.S. Army for six years and has been a health care provider for nearly 20 years. A major focus of his campaign is government student loans, which Noren says are charging “exorbitant interest rates.” He wants to cap the rates at 3 percent. Noren also says he is “extremely strong on Second Amendment rights,” has the ability to work across the aisle and calls himself a “street Democrat.” Noren considered running a primary against Gillibrand, but said the “uphill battle to get on the ballot was insurmountable.” Noren has so far spent a little more than $27,000 on his campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.