Democrats Have No Candidate As Yet
By Doug La Rocque
At its gathering this past Saturday, The Rensselaer County Republican Committee formally endorsed current Deputy County Executive Chris Meyer to replace his retiring boss Kathy Jiminio. [private] Meyer received 11,473 ballots compared to his opponent, Melrose Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, who received 4,421 votes in the weighted balloting. Speaking with The Eastwick Press, Assemblyman McLaughlin said he was not surprised by the results, given what he said were Meyer’s close ties to members of the committee, but plans “100 percent to mount a primary challenge and I expect to win big on September 12,” the date of the primary. Also speaking to The Eastwick Press following his endorsement, Meyer said he “is looking forward to the challenge of the primary and general election to follow.” He also expressed his confidence that he will prevail.
The County Democratic Party held its annual meeting Monday night, but was unable to come up with a nominee to face either Meyer or McLaughlin in November. Time is running out for them to do so. Candidates lacking the party backing can start collecting petitions for a place on the primary line, but only have until July 13 to submit them to the Board of Elections. If no one comes forth, the primary on the Republican line will actually be the main contest for the County Executive’s seat.
Both committees have endorsed candidates for the Rensselaer County Legislature from District 5, which covers the towns of Hoosick, Petersburgh, Grafton, Berlin and Stephentown, as well as the Village of Hoosick Falls. Given the Democratic backing were Michael Hickey of Hoosick Falls, noted as the man who sounded the alarm about the PFOAs and their associated dangers in the village’s drinking water. Joining him is Petersburgh Town Councilman Dennis Smith.
The Republicans have backed Jeff Wysocki, a Hoosick farmer who was appointed to fill the term of Lester Goodermote on his retirement, and Grafton Town Supervisor Ingrid Gundrum. The legislature’s current chairman, Stan Brownell, also of Hoosick Falls, has chosen not to seek re-election. Like the County Executive’s post, the Legislators are elected for four years.
At their gathering, the Republicans also nominated current County Clerk Frank Merola for re-election. The Democrats have once again chosen not to oppose the popular clerk. There is another county wide race this fall, that for the vacant County Court seat, vacated by Judge Andrew Ceresia’s election last year to the State Supreme Court. The Republicans have chosen East Greenbush bankruptcy attorney and the current finance chairman of the County Legislature, Philip Danaher. The Democrats threw their support behind Defense Attorney Jennifer Sober of Nassua, who once worked in the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. [/private]