SCHENECTADY -- For the first time in at least a decade, Republicans are running candidates for all City Council and most Schenectady County Legislature seats in this November's elections.
City Republicans have decided to endorse three from the slate of mayoral candidate Roger Hull, the former Union College president who was already endorsed by Republicans and is running on a third-party line. County Republicans Monday night also endorsed 2003 mayoral candidate Peter Guidarelli and Union College building services manager Richard Patierne for Legislature District 1 and longtime city critic Patricia Zollinger to run in District 2. In recent years, Democrats have run unopposed in those city districts.
Schenectady County Republican Chairman Tom Buchanan said city Republicans are revitalized with the resignation of Democratic Mayor Brian U. Stratton for a state job in April, and two Democratic Council members who are not seeking re-election. Former Schenectady County Legislature chairwoman Democrat Susan Savage, who almost single-handedly drove that body's agenda, also recently left for a state post.
"The city committee had been going through a decline but they've got new members there. There's some vitality," Buchanan said.
City Republicans will be carrying Council petitions for retired auto body worker Vincent Riggi, Bellevue Preservation Association President Jacquie Hurd and Eastern Office Supply owner Phil Tiberio, who are all running with Hull's Alliance Party. City Republicans also previously endorsed Heather L. Dukes, an attorney in Rensselear County Family Court, choosing not to get behind Hull's fourth candidate, Democrat Madrea Chaires.
They will all be going up against Democratic City Council President and current acting Mayor Gary McCarthy, Council incumbents Democrats Denise Brucker and Peggy King, and newcomers Leesa Perazzo, Proctors sales manager, and John Mootooveren , head of the Guyanese American Association.
It's the first time a major party has endorsed Zollinger, a computer analyst at the Thruway Authority and a regular fixture at City Council meetings. She got 37 percent of the vote last year when she ran for City Council under a third-party line with almost no funds. Riggi, also known for his statements during public comment period at council meetings, was previously endorsed by Republicans for a City Council seat in 2006 and lost.
"They've built up a following in this city," Buchanan said about Zollinger and Riggi. "For Republicans in the city, you need some outside-the-box thinking."
Zollinger will face Democratic incumbents county Legislators Jeff McDonald and Gary Hughes for one of the two seats open. Guidarelli and Patierne are running against attorney Democrat Robert Hoffman, who was just appointed Monday night to fill Vince DiCerbo's seat, and incumbent Democrat Michael Petta.
In the county's District 3, which is comprised of Glenville and Niskayuna, Democrats are looking to wrestle the only two Republican-held seats away. Democrats are running former Scotia village trustee Cathy Gatta, who was recently appointed to replace Savage, and newcomers state Senate employee Cathryn Bern-Smith and Union College's assistant director of campus safety Tom Constantine against Republican incumbent Jim Buhrmaster, small-businessman Mike Dietrich and high school teacher Kurt Semon. Longtime Legislator Republican Robert Farley is not running for re-election.
In District 4, which includes Rotterdam, Princetown and Duanesburg, County Legislator incumbents Democrats Angelo Santabarbara and Anthony Jasenski are running for re-election against and Republicans Wade Abbott, a tea party organizer, and former Rotterdam Town Board member Stan Marchinkowski.
Reach Lauren Stanforth at 454-5697 or lstanforth@timesunion.com.
A solid REP slate led by popular Vince Riggi for City Council. There is a large vote that has skipped recent City elections because of DEMS tax and spenders running on every line. Vince made his bones at the rail of the City Council chamber and is a no nonsense small business person. A graduate of Mt Pleasant back in the day, Vince will finally be a voice for the taxpayer inside the rail. Heather Dukes, a bright fiscal CONS that has 3 lines for City Council, is better than any fossil DEM. The smart DEMS have all followed cousin Vinny out stage left.
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
I don't remember Mr. Marchinkowski being much of a voice on the town board while he was there, but I am quite happy with the rest of the nominees put forward. Looks like it's going to be a good year.
The good news is that there is unified opposition against working together DEMS who have run unopposed for years. The REPS will pick up County seats. Losing SS Savage and Cousin Vinny will have a positive effect. The DEM death grips in the City/Rotterdam will be broken.
Logged
A solid REP slate led by popular Vince Riggi for City Council. There is a large vote that has skipped recent City elections because of DEMS tax and spenders running on every line. Vince made his bones at the rail of the City Council chamber and is a no nonsense small business person. A graduate of Mt Pleasant back in the day, Vince will finally be a voice for the taxpayer inside the rail. Heather Dukes, a bright fiscal CONS that has 3 lines for City Council, is better than any fossil DEM. The smart DEMS have all followed cousin Vinny out stage left. 
