SCHENECTADY Republicans only fielding one candidate in city this fall BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter Reach Gazette reporter Kathleen Moore at 395-3120 or moore@dailygazette.com.
The Republicans will stand aside in the election campaign between Democrat Carl Erikson and challenger Pat Zollinger. Zollinger is not registered with any party and has not asked the city Republicans to endorse her. If she wants to get her name on the ballot under her own party, she has one week left to submit signatures to the Board of Elections. Otherwise, she could carry petitions for a write-in campaign. But the Republicans will have no one in the council campaign. The city committee is fi elding just one candidate on this year’s ballot, attorney Michael Horan, who is running for city judge against Democrat Mark Blanchfi eld. “We’re not much players in this year’s election,” city Republican Committee Chairwoman Darlene Lee said. Horan, a prominent defense attorney, is most recently known for his defense of city police offi cer John Lewis. Blanchfield, a longtime city councilman, was appointed city judge in May. Lee sees Horan as the start to a long rebuilding for the Republican Party. “It’s definitely a multi-year process. We are restoring and rebuilding,” she said. For now, she’s trying to garner support for a minority voice on the council, which is made up entirely of Democrats. “We need a diversity of opinion,” Lee said. “I think the challenges facing the city of Schenectady exceed the capacity of one party to solve on their own.” On both taxes and crime, she said, the Democrats need Republican ideas. “When you have a boat and you only have oars on one side, the boat only goes in circles. We need to move forward.” She thinks there are viable city candidates with viable ideas for the city. It’s just a matter of fi nding them, she said. “The people are all there. They have ideas,” she said. “They have a pent-up demand to have their ideas heard and implemented. We just have to connect the dots. I’m good at that.” She’s also good at working with the opposite party. Her husband, Fred Lee, is an active Democrat. “I think we are better people because of our diversity of opinion,” she said. “At our breakfast table we have the liveliest discussions. But in the end we find that common thread and a wellthought-out recommendation.” ......................>>>>..................>>>>....................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01300&AppName=1
Great start for Mrs. Lee, wife of longtime DEM operative Fred Lee-NOT. You have no REP candidate for City Council and a great independent candidates emerges-endorse them. This is not rocket science. Win one by default. PZ has been consistently right on new fees, salary increases for do nothing politicians and term limits. You have no interest in rebuilding anything. Another gatekeeper to stop anyone from challenging the horrible DEM machine.
It's even worse than this. The REPS have no Countywide candidate for Family Court. With all the lawyers in this County no REP wants to run for a winnable open judgeship?
Obviously Ms. Lee is not the breath of fresh air the reps so badly need. While the rep party is bleeding to death, there are fresh new candidates springing up. Why the hell wouldn't they grab on to Pat Zollinger???? Why didn't they grab on to Oconner, Mcgarry or Littlefield last year? It just doesn't make any sense what so ever?
It just doesn't make sense at all!
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
It seems that at there would be at least a few of the 27,815 registered Republicans in the county who live in the City of Schenectady and who would be qualified to serve in elected office.
First, I find it rather commendable that PZ isn't looking for the rep support. Like the NNTP, she's not beholden to ANYONE, although she does face an uphill battle against the dem "machione" here in schdy, especially as an Independent. I 'd like to contagratulate her on her fortitude to run and wish her success.
Next - this one line is really ridiculous:
""It's a multi-year process".
Comon - how long has it been since the Reps fielded Any SLATE of candidates? There've been plenty of times candidates emerged, yet the rep party "elite" failed to endorse or legitimately support them. When was the last time the city fielded ANYONE to fight for a seat? Their track record is abysymal If by "multi-year" they mean "multi-decade", well, then, they're almost there.
New faces in the party AND the leadership, from the city/towns right up to the County, needs to change - there needs to be active support, and active PLAN, active FUNDRAISING, active platforms, active DEBATES, active PUBLICITY - I don't see that happeneing anytime soon under the current administration
All the REPS/CONS have not left the City. They deserve a candidate and if a registered REP is not running, then at least endorse Pat Z so she can boot a Krat. Darlene Lee should resign today.
What about no REP countywide candidate for Family Court? How pathetic is that. Then we will hear from some moron that the REP party has not imploded. If there was leadership than GP would have been offered this. If he didn't want it make a deal with one of the 5 DEMS running in a primary. We will cross endorse you. Again they prefer to run a blank.
"It's a multi-year process" alright. To replace the entire "leadership" with those really wanting leaner, efficient government.
Until they return to solid Conservative fiscal principles they will continue to lose everything. Look for more NNTP, independent bids and candidates serious about not the status quo but in challenging the one party machine.
Logged
Great start for Mrs. Lee, wife of longtime DEM operative Fred Lee-NOT. You have no REP candidate for City Council and a great independent candidates emerges-endorse them. This is not rocket science. Win one by default. PZ has been consistently right on new fees, salary increases for do nothing politicians and term limits. You have no interest in rebuilding anything. Another gatekeeper to stop anyone from challenging the horrible DEM machine. 
