With September primaries and November elections in their sights, elected officials are strategizing as they begin to encounter challengers.
Albany County Legislator Christine Benedict has announced a run for Colonie town supervisor against Paula Mahan. Benedict has served in the legislature since 1993, representing the 27th District in the Town of Colonie. That district encompasses most of the west end of the town. Benedict, a Republican, became interetsted in the supervisor's race and decided not to seek another term in the legislature.
Mahan, a four-term Democrat, tells WAMC it’s business-as-usual, for now... "We're moving in a great direction, everything is on track. I will be working on the campaign when I have some free time, but my main priority is my position here."
There's a possible wild card in the race for the $120,000-a-year supervisor's position: a spot on the Independence Party line could be up for grabs, which would entail Mahan facing off against Benedict in a September primary for that line, then facing off again in the November general election. "When you're running for any office, you have to get a certain amount of petitions from people in that particular party. We've been getting our positions, and you know, we let the people decide. The primaries are in September sometime. But I've always had the support of the Independence people and I think we'll do quite well."
The Independence Party endorsed Mahan in previous elections. In Hudson, Alderman Nick Haddad withdrew from the race for mayor, so Tiffany Martin Hamilton, endorsed just last week by the Hudson Democratic Committee, now has no opponent in the Democratic primary. She likely will go on to face incumbent Republican William Hallenbeck.
In central new York, Utica's mayor says he'll run for another term. Robert Palmieri made the official announcement Friday. "The path that we're on, the great things that have been going on in this great city; it's been a privelege and an honor to serve this great community. And I'm looking for four more years."
Supporters say Palmieri has moved the city forward and has boosted revitalization. Several candidates are looking to unseat him, including former mayor Lou LaPolla, Linda Sullivan-Fatata and Ernie Sanita. Palmieri took office in 2011.
Republican Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente is also up for re-election: he took office in 2007, and to date no Democratic opponent has emerged.
