Democrats elect new leadership
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> With the election of Sarah J. Burger as its new chair and Cassandra Bagramian as its new treasurer, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee met the prerequisite minimum number of leadership positions to move toward stabilization and taking a step forward after a tumultuous summer of upheaval in the organization.
A native of Saratoga Springs, Burger is the founding member at the Burger Law Group, PLLC and has been a longtime committee member. She served as City Attorney for nine months in 2014.
“It is an honor to have been elected to serve as the next chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. While I was surprised by the abrupt recent resignations, I am encouraged by the outpouring of people that are eager and committed to serving. We are excited to work together on Democratic issues and elect our candidates this November and beyond,” Burger said.
Bagramian is the Democratic deputy commissioner for the Saratoga County Board of Elections.
“I want to thank the members of the committee for putting their faith in me. I will work hard to help ensure that we continue to get Democratic candidates elected in Saratoga Springs and throughout the county,” Bagramian remarked.
On July 17, five members who served on the SSDC Executive Committee announced the first mass exodus from the committee. Resigning at that time were Chair Courtney DeLeonardis, Ellen Kiehl, Jeffrey Partridge, Kathleen Wilson, and Joanna Zangrando.
Speaking on behalf of SSDC leadership that figured in the initial exodus, DeLeonardis stated: “We believe the time is right to give the SSDC a chance to have a new leadership team who will support the Commissioner of Finance in accord with the outcome of the recent primary election.”
In August, eleven additional people announced they were leaving, including Jennifer Blanchard, Charles Brown, Frank Capone, Cynthia Corbett, John Daley, Michele Feinstein, Nancy Goldberg, Kathryn Gorman, Janet Kuczynski, Michael Sharp, and Jane Weihe.
Those who left the SSDC during the second wave of departures cited the following as the impetus for their decision:
bers of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, we have come to a point where we must choose the welfare of our city over a party.
“We are resigning from the committee because we are unable to support the winner of the Democratic primary for Finance Commissioner, Patty Morrison.”
At present, the SSDC retains 33 members.
Looking outward to the Democratic Party response at the county level, Todd Kerner, chair of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee, issued the following response to the committee’s election of Burger and Bagramian:
“I am pleased to see the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee has elected Sarah Burger as its new chair. The Democrats in Saratoga Springs remain active, hard-working and focused.
“As we move forward, let us all work to build support and to help elect our Saratoga Springs city candidates. Working together, we will help Democratic candidates in Saratoga Springs and across the county get elected in November.”
Incumbent Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Accounts John Franck expressed confidence in the new elects:
“I’d like to congratulate Sarah as our new chairperson. I know she’ll unite the party for the upcoming November elections.”
The two political newcomers running for city office in November were similarly affirming:
Democratic nominee for commissioner of finance, Patricia Morrison, who was also supportive of Burger and Bagramian, stated:
“It is a pleasure to welcome both Sarah Burger and Cassandra Bagramian as our newly elected Democratic committee chair and treasurer.
“Each brings strong professional, political and community service to their positions and I have the utmost confidence that under this new leadership our city Democratic Committee will be stronger going forward.
“I’m excited to advance our 2019 campaigns in a positive and inclusive direction.”
Dillon Moran, Democratic nominee for commissioner of public works added his thoughts:
“I am encouraged by the men and women who have already expressed interest in filling the vacant positions. Mostly, I am excited to work with the newly elected chair, Sarah Burger, to help ensure that our Democratic candidates will be successful in November.”
For more information about the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee, visit saratogadems.org.