Chris "Capo" Gardner is losing control over Democrats in Schenectady County. Here's Marv's take on the primary races:

County Democrats stray from party leadrship

Results from last week's primary election indicate there is a tear among loyalists in the Schenectady County Democrat Party ranks.

Jill Polk, snubbed by party commanders this year and last when asking for candidacy endorsements, upended party-backed Ursula Hall in a Family Court judge race.

Hall had the blessing of Chris "Boss" Gardner, the county attorney and ongoing wizard of the Democrat Party.

Her husband is Geoff Hall, clerk of the County Legislature and Niskayuna Democrat Party chairman.

And Polk? Well, she had the support of Polk when the polls opened. When the smoke cleared, she had a supporting cast of 2,214 Democrat voters. Despite the heavyweight leadership backing,

Hall finished second best with 1,717 votes. Patricia Rodriguez and Bruce Trachtenberg, the others in the four-way race, were distant also-rans.

Political junkies of all faiths on my scouting staff say some Democrat regulars strayed from the party bosses' decree to vote for Hall. Instead, they voted for Polk or Rodriguez, who had 1,017 votes.

Anyway, Polk will next take on Republican Deanna Siegel in the November election. And despite losing the Democratic primary, Hall will be on the ballot's Conservative, Independence, Working Families and Green Party lines. In general, these minor parties are subsidiaries of the Gardner-managed Democratic parent company.

Jim Buhrmaster, county GOP chairman, thinks rather than voting for Polk, some Democrats may continue supporting Hall on a minor party line. "That division should be to Siegel's advantage," Buhrmaster said.

Judicial elections traditionally receive little voter attention, but this November race should be interesting.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Marv-Cermak-NFL-s-Stautner-also-a-local-sports-5757609.php