Independence Party endorses Bourke for sheriff, others for town offices
ALBION – Chris Bourke has secured the Independence Party line in his campaign to be Orleans County’s next sheriff. Bourke, the current undersheriff, is running for sheriff against Brett Sobieraski, a Rochester Police Department sergeant who lives in Kent. Randy Bower, the current sheriff, isn’t seeking re-election.
Bourke and Sobieraski will square off June 25 in a Republican Primary. Bourke also has the Conservative Party line in the Nov. 5 general election.
The Executive Committee of the Independence Party met April 6 in Albany and endorsed the following as Independence Party candidates, even though they are not enrolled members of the party:
• Chris Bourke of Waterport for sheriff, a county-wide election.
• In Murray, the Independence Party is backing Robert Miller for town supervisor, and Lloyd Christ and Neil Valentine for Town Board. There is also an opportunity to ballot on the June 25 primary for the town supervisor and a Town Council position.
Miller also faces a Republican Primary on June 25 against Joe Sidonio, while Christ and Valentine have been challenged in a Republican Primary by Dirk Lammes Jr. Sidonio and Lammes also are endorsed by the Conservative Party.
• In Barre, the Independence Party endorsed Sean Pogue for town supervisor, and Bradlee Diesel and Margaret Swan for Town Board.
Those three face a general election challenge from independent “Citizens for Change” party candidates, including Jerry Solazzo for town supervisor, and Kerri Richardson and Cindy Burnside for Town Council positions. Richardson also is endorsed by the Conservative Party. In addition, LuAnn Tierney is backed by the Democratic Party for a town council seat.
• There is also an Independence primary on June 25 in the town of Shelby which is part of the 144th Assembly District. Registered Independence Party members in Shelby can vote for a delegate to the Eighth Judicial District, either Darla Schultz Bubar or Ciara Haylett. Voters will also pick an alternate delegate, either Brian Michael or David Haylett Jr.
