Clinton County candidate petitions finalized

Carly Newton, The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
·3 min read

Apr. 9—PLATTSBURGH — All Democratic and Republican candidate petitions filed with the Clinton County Board of Elections last week have been finalized.

Democratic Commissioner Mary Dyer said they were finalized after no objections were made to any of the petitions by the 5 p.m. deadline Monday.

Official Democratic candidates for City of Plattsburgh mayor this November are now Dan Lennon and Wendell Hughes; the lone Republican candidate is former mayor Don Kasprzak.

Lennon, who also filed for the Working Families Party, said he submitted his petition with 700 signatures, which was more than the amount required to get on the ballot.

"Meeting everyone going door-to-door and getting so much encouragement was both exhilarating and humbling and makes me more determined than ever to serve Plattsburgh as its mayor," Lennon said.

THREE PRIMARIES

Lennon and Hughes will now face off against each other in the Democratic primary set for June 25.

Democratic primaries have also shaped up for the city's Ward 3 and Ward 6 Common Council races.

Official Ward 3 candidates are incumbent Councilor Elizabeth Gibbs, who filed for the Working Families Party as well, and outgoing Mayor Chris Rosenquest.

Ward 6 candidates are incumbent Councilor Jeff Moore and Amy Collin, who also filed for the Working Families Party.

Additionally, former Town of Beekmantown Supervisor Sam Dyer filed a petition to get on the Working Families Party line for his old post.

INDEPENDENT PETITIONS

Iris Cain, who is hoping to run as an Independent in this year's mayoral race, will have to wait until April 16 before he can begin petitioning.

Mary Dyer said Independent petitions can be filed between May 21 and May 28. The day to object to any Independent petitions would be three days after they are filed.

She said a mayoral candidate will have to garner 281 signatures to get on the ballot as an Independent.

"On an independent petition, anybody from any party — as long as they are registered in the county — can sign for that office as long as they have not signed a petition for that office before," she said.

Cain plans to hold a "Community Q&A" at the historic Hartwell House, located at 77 Brinkerhoff St., on Saturday, April 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for potential supporters to attend.

The event will feature live music and appetizers followed by an interactive presentation by Cain and then the community Q&A will take place. He will address the community's questions, concerns and opinions on city affairs and his proposals for Plattsburgh during the evening.

Any supporters will then be able to sign the petition to feature Cain on the ballot.

According to a press release, Cain's platform is focused on driving more municipal transparency, better information flows to the electorate and working to ensure Plattsburgh's infrastructure, economy and housing markets are made stronger through policies that are people-first.

Cain is driven by a commitment to quality of life for all residents and investment in the future of Plattsburgh as a regional hub for commerce, entertainment and more, he said.

Residents are encouraged to visit PlattsburghInitative.org for Cain's full platform.

Email: cnewton@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: CarlySNewton