Carlton Democrats pass on incumbent Republicans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2013 at 12:00 am

CARLTON – Candidates for Carlton town offices met with Carlton Democrats last night, seeking the party’s support for the Nov. 5 election. But only one Republican, who currently isn’t a town official, received Democratic Party support.

Incumbent Town Clerk Pam Rush and her GOP challenger Lea Olles both asked Democrats to back them. But during a party caucus at the home of Aggie Recco, 37 Democrats didn’t reach a majority of support for the clerk candidates. In fact, there were more no votes than votes of support for the candidates, said Jeanne Crane, a Carlton Democrat and chairwoman of the Orleans County Democratic Party.

The Carlton Democrats also declined to support either Highway Superintendent David Krull or his challenger Paul Snook, Sr.

The Democrats did support one Republican, Bilal Huzair, for Town Board. Huzair is endorsed by the Conservative Party and also will be in a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 against incumbent Republicans Joyce Harris and Jim Shoemaker.

Democrats also backed a member of their own party, Doug Hart, for a Town Board seat.

Crane said the crowd of Democrats for the party caucus was the most she can recall.

She said the controversy over town-wide reassessments, which ignited an uproar from residents this spring, has many residents watching town government closely.

“Carlton this year is the hotbed,” she said.

The Republican candidates for town clerk, highway superintendent and Town Board will square off in a Primary on Sept. 10. The general election will be Nov. 5.