Candidate slams ballot move
July 11, 2008
The 43rd Senate District took on a distinctive Collar City look Thursday as city Public Works Commissioner Robert Mirch moved to deny Democratic candidate Brian Premo the Working Families line.
Mirch put up Troy resident Christopher N. Consuello, his perennial candidate for the Working Families line in critical races. Premo vowed to make the last-minute nomination a public issue.
“He personifies all that’s bad in politics today,” Premo, of Brunswick, said about Mirch.
Mirch, an enrolled Conservative, who is majority leader for the Republican-controlled Rensselaer County Legislature, admitted he was up to his usual tactics in attempting to keep Premo off the Working Families line.
Premo and Consuello would face each other in a Sept. 9 primary if their petitions are not challenged successfully.
“It’s a step up. Chris will be putting out a press release,” said Mirch, who did not give a reason for wanting to keep Premo from getting the line.
Mirch has used Consuello as a candidate in past Working Families primaries. He did it to keep the line away from Democrat James Conroy in last year’s mayoral race and in 2006 in the 106th Assembly contest to prevent Assembly Majority Leader Ronald Canestrari, D-Cohoes, from getting the nomination.
Consuello could not be reached for comment.
The last-minute twist came on the last day to file nominating petitions in the race to succeed retiring state Sen. Joseph L. Bruno, R-Brunswick.
On the Democratic line, Premo, Mike Russo of Saratoga and Saratoga Springs Supervisor Joanne Yepsen have filed nominating petitions. The three could face off in a Sept. 9 primary.
Assemblyman Roy J. McDonald, R-Saratoga, and Nassau Councilman Ray Seney are seeking the Republican line. They also would run against each other in a Sept. 9 primary.
McDonald also has filed for the Conservative and Independence nominations.
Source: Times Union
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