All of the top elected positions in northern New York’s largest city are up for grabs in the November election. The Republican Mayor of Plattsburgh announced in April that he would not run for reelection. And none of the incumbent members of the city’s Common Council will run to return to their seats on that governing body.
There are six seats on the Plattsburgh Common Council. The lone Republican, George Rabideau, cannot run again due to term limits, which restrict city councilors and the mayor from running for the same seat after serving eight consecutive years. Independent James Calnon decided he would not run for reelection, as did Democrats Chris Case and Chris Jackson. Ward 2 Councilor Mark Tiffer is the Democratic candidate for mayor. That left Tim Carpenter as the sole incumbent potentially remaining on the city’s governing board. But during the city Democratic caucus this week, the party decided to endorse a different candidate to represent Ward 1. Plattsburgh State Professor of Political Science Tom Conda.
Conda also believes that the departures by incumbents are due more to city finances than a shuffle caused by the mayor leaving his position.
Ward 2 Candidate Mike Kelly served on the Common Council in the past, from 2008 to 2010. He says he would have run anyway because he wanted to get back into city politics.
The city Democrats will formally introduce their slate of candidates Saturday morning at City Hall. Mayoral Candidate Mark Tiffer says it’s crucial to present a unified slate.
Ward 2 Candidate Mike Kelly says their issues parallel city residents’ concerns.
No Republican candidates have yet been announced and calls to the Clinton County Republican Chair were not returned in time for this broadcast.
