Mollen, Shaffer and Four Other Broome Democrats Thrown Off Ballot Line by Supreme Court Ruling

(Binghamton, NY) Six Democrat candidates for elective office in Broome County were thrown off the so-called “Women’s Equality Party” ballot line in New York State Supreme Court yesterday. This follows Democrat State Senate candidate Barbara Fiala also being thrown off the WEP line in a separate Supreme Court ruling yesterday in Albany.

In addition to Fiala, the Democrat candidates for local office who were thrown off the WEP ballot line include:

* Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen (running against Republican Steve Cornwell);
* Candidate for Broome County Judge Christian Root (running against Republican Kevin Dooley);
* Vestal Town Supervisor John Shaffer (running against Republican Bill Kelley);
* Candidate for Vestal Town Board Darlene Bucinell (running against Republicans Fran Majewski and Greg Roberts);
* Candidate for Binghamton City Council Conrad Taylor (running against Republican John Cordisco); and
* Candidate for Binghamton City Council Shari Weiss (running against Republican John Matzo).

Broome Republican Chairman Bijoy Datta said, “These Democrat candidates apparently thought that they get to play by a different set of rules than the rest of us. But the Supreme Court saw otherwise; they can’t game the system and run on Andrew Cuomo’s bogus so-called ‘Women’s Equality’ line.”

Vestal Republican Chairwoman Julie Lewis said, “Andrew Cuomo and his political operatives in Albany and New York City tried to sway women voters by creating this line last year, and then illegally nominated Broome County candidates to run on it this year. We voters are smarter than they give us credit for, and we saw through it even before the Supreme Court struck them down.”

The ruling was made yesterday in the Sixth Judicial District Supreme Court in Binghamton.

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Datta Unanimously Re-Elected as Broome Republican Chairman

(Binghamton, NY) Bijoy Datta of Fenton was re-elected tonight as Broome County Republican Chairman in a unanimous vote by local Republican Committee Members.

Also elected were First Vice Chair Paul Vansavage of the Town of Binghamton, Secretary Chris Dziedzic of the City of Binghamton, and Treasurer Laurie Gialanella of Vestal.

“I’m honored to continue serving our local Republican Committee and candidates for another two years,” said Datta. “We’ve built up a strong foundation over the last two years with new technology, tools and data to win more elections. We won’t stop our aggressive approach to beating Democrats every November.”

Over the last several years, Republicans have flipped former Democrat seats for Congress, County Executive, County Legislature, Binghamton Mayor, Johnson City Mayor, City Council and many more. 

“This year we have a huge race to win in the State Senate,” added Datta. “Fred Akshar is a top-notch candidate whose new leadership is exactly what we need in Albany. With him at the top of the ticket, we expect to run strong in our local races for County Judge, District Attorney, City Council and Town Boards.”

 More information about the Broome County Republican Committee can be found at www.BroomeRepublicans.com.

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Four Republican Chairs Officially Nominate Fred Akshar for Senate

(Binghamton, NY) Broome County Chair Bijoy Datta, Tioga County Chair Don Leonard, Delaware County Chair Maria Kelso, and Chenango County Vice-Chair Lou Callea met today to officially nominate Fred Akshar for the Republican line in the 52nd Senate District Election. The Election will be held on November 3^rd.

Broome Republican Chair Bijoy Datta said, “After following a thoughtful and deliberative process in which the Chairs discussed and interviewed a number of possible candidates, it was clearn that Fred Akshar was the best choice. His fifteen year career of public service, fighting crime, working hard for local families, and helping the Crime Victims Assistance Center gives him a unique perspective on the problems facing our community.”

Tioga County Chair Don Leonard said, “Fred has already visited dozens of Tioga County businesses and residents to hear what he can do to help them create more jobs. He understands that New York State government needs to get out of the way of private business so that they can expand and create jobs.”

Delaware County Chair Maria Kelso said, “Fred’s energy and enthusiasm will let him work hard to meet every voter in the District and earn their vote between now and Election Day.”

Chenango County Vice-Chair Lou Callea said, “Fred will bring a unique perspective to Senate. He is not a career politician.  Additionally, it is particularly important to Chenango County residents that Fred is one of us having been raised in Afton and previously having been a Chenango County Deputy Sheriff."

Akshar has also earned the Conservative and Independence Parties’ nominations. Voters can vote for Fred on the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines on November 3^rd.

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Garnar Doesn’t Live In Legislative District, Must Resign Now

(BINGHAMTON, NY) – Broome County Republican Chairman Bijoy Datta today called on County Legislator Jason Garnar to resign immediately from his seat because he no longer resides within the District.

In June, Garnar announced that he was moving out of his District and would be resigning later in the year.

“A number of people have reported the Jason Garnar has now moved to his new house outside of this Legislative District,” said Datta. “I congratulate him on the move, but if he doesn’t live in the District today, he should resign today.”

If the resignation were to take place after September 20th, a replacement would not be elected by the people of the District. Instead, Democratic Party political leaders would select a nominee to be appointed by the Legislature until the November 2016 election – meaning that an unelected Legislator would serve for 14 months before ever having to earn a vote.

If the resignation were to take place prior to September 20th, then there would be an election this November where the voters of the District would elect their new Legislator.

“I have a simple question for Jason Garnar: Where did you sleep last night?” remarked Datta.
“If he has moved, it’s just plain wrong that Garnar hasn’t yet resigned,” Datta added. “He’s trying to game the system and deny the people of the District their right to vote for his replacement.”

Aside from calling on Garnar to resign, Datta called on the Broome County Board of Elections as well as the Broome County Board of Ethics to begin an immediate investigation into the question of Garnar’s residence and the timing of his resignation.

“There is a strict set of rules all government officials are expected to follow, and we believe that Mr. Garnar is trying to circumvent those rules,” Datta said.

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