DELANSON Delanson resident seeking seat without party backing BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Brad Littlefield is planning a run against the establishment. The Delanson resident is organizing a run for a seat on the Schenectady County Legislature, but he’s planning to do it without help from either of the major political parties. Littlefield said he’s running as an independent so that he’s not beholden to any political agenda. Littlefield, who works for MetLife in Troy, had initially sought the Republican endorsement. However, he said he abandoned the effort after the party insisted he support their entire slate of GOP candidates. “When it became clear to me that there was an expectation that I would comply with the direction given by local party leadership, allowing them to ‘call the shots,’ and that I was expected to support all Republican endorsed candidates regardless of their principles and ideals, I decided that I was not interested in their endorsement,” he said in an e-mail announcing his candidacy. Littlefield will also wage a primary against the county Conservative Party’s endorsed candidates. The party is expected to announce its endorsements later this week, but the only two candidates being considered for the two District 4 seats are incumbent Democrat Judy Dagostino and Holly Vellano, a former Republican Town Board member in Rotterdam now enrolled as a Conservative. The county Republicans have endorsed Les Zampino and Michael Viscusi for the two seats. Party Chairman Tom Buchanan did not return a call for comment. Conservative Party Chairman Randy Pascarella said the Conservatives wouldn’t back Littlefield because he never interviewed for the endorsement. Littlefield was part of a failed effort last fall to oust Pascarella and wrest control of the party away from Bob Hamilton, the president of the Schenectady city Police Benevolent Association. “He is not going to be the endorsed Conservative candidate,” Pascarella said Monday. The lack of a Conservative endorsement doesn’t bother Littlefield, who said he ditched his enrollment in the party after being a member for more than 30 years. He said the party’s leadership has steered it away from representing true conservative values. “I decided after much deliberation to change my enrollment because of my dismay that the current Conservative Party leadership is not awarding endorsements or working to advance the Conservative Party ideology, but rather those of themselves, their contributors, and the union to which much of the party committee belongs,” he said.
Looks like he's staying...for now anyway. It appears that there are some that are not satisfied with status quo politics. My best to Brad!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Thank you all for your well wishes. I certainly appreciate your support and will look for your input as the campaign gets underway.
I will be discussing my platform in the coming weeks. I have reserved a web address for my website (www.bradlittlefield.org) and am working on the content. I hope to have something published in the next week or two.
As to Captain America's question, yes, I had considered relocating. There was a possibility that my employment (one of the two careers that I work to pay my taxes) would have required me to relocate out of state. That will not occur. My home, however, continues to be marketed for sale. This is because both of my children are now grown (college aged). We are looking to downsize. Further, with my 49th birthday yesterday, mowing approximately 3 acres of my 5 acre parcel is losing its allure.
I'm happy to see you standing up. People say they want alternatives in the voting booth - this election they're going to get some. I hope we can give them the hope and courage to pull the lever.
You'll be a strong voice for District 4 residents and you'll get my vote.
we wish you the luck littleman because you will be helping get rid of the repubs but in the end now the people will get the best people in with Miss Villano and Mrs Dagostino THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Judy Dag is finished this Nov. She lied to the people in the Hilltowns when she promised to expand the library. Instead she wants to waste more money Downtown! She should move to the City since she cares more about their interests. 2 Dag's on the ballot? Wake up sheeple.
Brad has been a great leader for accountability and against governmental waste. We need more fiscal Conservatives and business leaders to replace the mindless rubber stamps currently warming seats.
I'm so glad to have different choices when I go to vote. There are many people who are totally unhappy with the political choices placed before them and with the past actions of some. Mike and Brad will definately get my vote!!! Thank you both!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Judy did not do that it was Surhad who quahshed the library over there from the people I know who know things like that and they told me he was the guy who was so against the libarary he took over a special club or commitee or something and stopped the library which was suppose to go to the community center but now it is done. SO THERE YOU LIARS repubs