Race for 21st seat shrinks
July 10, 2008
Three more candidates appear out of the race for the 21st Congressional District seat.
Attorney John Aretakis said in a faxed statement Wednesday that he will withdraw from the race. Democrat Craig Burridge, executive director of the Pharmacists Society of New York state, also confirmed Wednesday that he’s not running.
Aretakis and Burridge were two out of as many as eight Democrats vying for Rep. Michael McNulty’s job. McNulty is retiring at year’s end.
Burridge said it was difficult working a full-time job and trying to get 1,250 petition signatures. Petitions to run on major party lines are due to the state Board of Elections by today.
“I’m sure I won’t be alone,” Burridge said about dropping out of the race.
And Burridge was right. Real estate agent Arthur Welser said late Wednesday afternoon that he hadn’t officially dropped out, but was woefully short of the signatures he needs to run.
Democratic candidate Lester Freeman dropped out of the race last week, citing difficulty in raising enough money to run a competitive campaign.
Democrat Darius Shahinfar announced earlier this week that he was first to turn in his signatures to run on the Democratic line in the Sept. 9 primary. Democratic candidates Tracey Brooks, Phil Steck and Paul Tonko are expected to file petitions as well.
Republicans Jim Buhrmaster and Steven Vasquez are also running.
Source: Times Union
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