Meyer rejects Independence Party compromise
McLaughlin hoped to let public decide in County Executive primary race
TROY, N.Y. » Two candidates in the Rensselaer County Executive Primary race are still debating as to who should receive the endorsement of the Independence Party.
State Supreme Court Justice Roger D. McDonough proposed Tuesday in Albany County Court that both Republican candidates, Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin and Deputy County Executive Chris Meyer could run in an Independence Party Sept. 12 pri- mary and that would allow the voters to decide.
McLaughlin’s attorney, James Walsh of Ballston Spa, was said to be willing to accept the recommendation, but Meyer’s lawyer, Peter Kehoe of Troy, turned down the compromise.
On Wednesday afternoon, Larry Bugbee, Republican Commissioner, said that Meyer had won the ruling from Tuesday.
“I’m honored to have received the support of the local Independence Party and I look forward to carrying that manner into this fall’s election,” said Meyer, immediately after he received the phone call from Bugbee. “This case was about following the rules of the party, which we did and
I’m glad that the court saw that was the case.”
In a statement Wednesday afternoon, McLaughlin said that he would have rather let the people of Rensselaer County decide who gets the line and that’s why he was willing to accept McDonough’s recommendation from Tuesday in court.
“Throughout this entire campaign, I have battled powerful insiders and special interests to ensure voters have a say in deciding who will serve as the next Rensselaer County Executive,” stated McLaughlin. “During a lawsuit for the Conservative nomination, I agreed to an open primary, and also agreed to an open primary for the Independence nomination. My opponent, however, has chosen to repeatedly sue and attempt to use the courts to prevent the people from deciding. Why is my opponent so opposed to letting the people of Rensselaer County have their say?
“Voters have already recognized my effectiveness as a fighter for upstate, which is why I received more signatures on nominating petitions than my opponent. There is a clear difference
between me and my opponent, and I look forward to voters making their choice known on September 12.”
McDonough ruled a month ago that the state Independence Party had followed state elections law and its party rules in giving McLaughlin the authorization and this ruling resulted from a lawsuit filed by Meyer supporters. The state Independence Party then met again to reauthorize McLaughlin and to strip the county committee of its ability to endorse nonparty candidates.
Democrat Andrea Smyth is endorsed by the Democrat committee plus the Working Families and Women’s Equality party’s lines.
The three are vying to replace Meyer’s boss, County Executive Kathleen Jimino, who announced in April she would not run for a fifth four-year term.