GOP committee races are unusual, Republican chairman says

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 September 2016 at 7:51 am

Registered Republicans in the Town of Gaines and the Town of Murray District 4 will head to the polls Tuesday to select pick members of the Republican committees.

To have a primary for a town committee is “very unusual,” said Ed Morgan, chairman of the Orleans County Republican Party and also the Murray Town Republican Committee.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Tuesday’s primary is a rare event with active public campaigns to serve as committee members on the Murray Town Republican Committee. These signs tout Kimberly DeFrank and Edwin Bower.

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Tuesday’s primary is a rare event with active public campaigns to serve as committee members on the Murray Town Republican Committee. These signs tout Kimberly DeFrank and Edwin Bower.

In Murray for District 4, Kimberly DeFrank and Edwin Bower are seeking re-election. Joseph Sidonio is hoping to become a member of the committee and forced a primary.

Morgan said the committee term is two years. Typically those interested file petitions with the Board of Elections.

“If more than two people filed with the Board of Elections, that generates a primary,” Morgan said.

The town Republican committees meet a couple of times each year, Morgan explains, to seek out candidates for elected positions in the town. The same is done at the county level by the county committee.

Members interview potential candidates and look into their background to see how they have been involved in their community. Selected candidates are given the party’s endorsement and additional support during the campaign process.

“It’s a way to be involved in the community,” Morgan said of participation on a town committee. “It’s a very meaningful position. You are involved in selecting candidates from the very beginning.”

 Joe Sidonio forced a primary and has signs out urging support on Tuesday during the primary.

Joe Sidonio forced a primary and has signs out urging support on Tuesday during the primary.

Each voting district in the town has two members on the town committee. The Town of Murray has six districts for a total of 12 members, Morgan said.

Orleans County Board of Elections staff members said only residents in District 4 will be able to vote in Tuesday’s primary.  District 4 covers the southeast portion of the town, outside the Village of Holley. The boundaries are Hulberton Road north to Telegraph Road, east to Hurd Road, north to Route 104, east to County Line Road and south to the town line.

The Town of Murray polling place in the Holley Jr./Sr. High School.  Polls will be open from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

In Gaines, there are primaries for three of the district committees.

In District 1, Republicans will elect two committee members among Ray Burke, Susan Heard, James R. Hood and Lorienda Smith. In District 2, Joseph C. Grube, Guy D. Smith and Bruce Blanchard are running for two spots. In District 3, Lisa Mannella, Donald J. Allport and David T. Alchin are vying for two positions. Voting is from noon to 9 p.m. at the Town Hall, 14087 W. Ridge Rd.