Yates candidates file primary paperwork

Yates candidates file primary paperwork

YATES COUNTY—The Yates County Legislature will have some new candidates for the September primary election. Current Legislators Donna Alexander, Steve Webster, Don House and Rick Willson have decided not to run for reelection in the Republican primary Sept. 10 and the general election Nov. 5. All 14 legislative seats are up for reelection to two-year terms, with several new challengers officially competing with the incumbents for their current seats. This also comes after last year’s redistricting efforts, which moves Webster’s Milo 6 voting district from District IV to District III.
Yates County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Robert Brechko said those running without a political party affiliation can submit independent petitions beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13 and ending Tuesday, Aug. 20. Brechko said there are still several people who have picked up these petition forms and if turned in completed and on time will be able to compete for available seats in the general election.
Yates County Legislative District I
Currently, there are six candidates vying for four available seats in District I, representing Italy, Middlesex and Jerusalem. Running for reelection are current County Chairman Taylor Fitch (R, C), Robert Multer (R, C) and Douglas Paddock (R, C). The challengers include current Italy Supervisor Margaret Dunn (R, C), who is also seeking reelection to her supervisor post as well, along with Elden Morrison (R) and Gary Montgomery (R). Alexander is not running for reelection in this district.
District II
There are currently three candidates vying for three available seats in District II, which represents Benton, Torrey and Potter. Incumbent Tim Dennis (R) is the only person running for reelection to one of three open seats. Current Benton Supervisor Robert Clark (R) and James E. Smith (R) are running for the other two open seats. Clark will not be running for reelection as Benton supervisor. House and Willson are not running for reelection in this district. There will be no primary election in this district.
District III
There are five candidates running for four open seats in District III, representing Milo. Current Milo Supervisor Leslie Church (R), Daniel Banach (R), Robert Schwarting (R) and Mark Morris (R, C) are all running as incumbents. Leland Sackett (R) is the only challenger for a seat in this district. With the redistricting in effect, former District IV representative Webster would have had to seek reelection in District III this year had he chosen to run. Deborah Flood had circulated a designating petition but Yates County Board of Elections Republican Commissioner Amy Daines said she did not have sufficient numbers to be listed on the ballot.
District IV
There are three current candidates running for the three open seats in District IV, representing Barrington and Starkey. The incumbent is William Holgate (R) and James Multer (R). Former County Treasurer Bonnie Percy (R) is the only newcomer in this district, so far. There will be no primary election for this district.
Yates County Treasurer
Current Treasurer Winona Flynn (R) is the only person currently on the ballot for her position. Flynn was appointed by the legislature after Percy’s retirement and is seeking election to a four-year term.
District Attorney
Seeking reelection to a four-year District Attorney term is Jason Cook (R, C). Valerie Gardner (R) will be challenging Cook for the four-year position.
Yates County Coroner
There is currently no petition filed for an open county coroner position four-year term, which is currently held by John Cooley.
Currently, there are no candidates contesting elections in Starkey, Milo, Benton, Italy, Middlesex, Torrey and Potter. Jerusalem and Barrington are the only towns who will be participating in the Sept. 10 primary. These towns may still have a contested race in the general election if independent petitions are submitted by the Aug. 20 deadline.
Jerusalem
In Jerusalem, Town Justice Matthew Davison is running for reelection, while current Councilman Pat Killen is running for town supervisor. There are three candidates running for two available four-year terms on the Jerusalem town board, including current Supervisor Daryl Jones, current Councilman Max Parson and challenger Gary Dinehart.
Barrington
In Barrington, Rennee Crofoot and Kimberly Ness will be competing for an open four-year town justice position currently held by Susan Lane. Current Barrington Councilmen Bruce Castner and Nathaniel Olney, along with Supervisor Fred Wright are running for reelection to four-year terms. Town Clerk Joy Perry and Highway Superintendent Steven Wheeler will also be seeking reelection to their current posts.
Starkey
Starkey has two open seats on the town council for four-year terms, which are being vied for by Alan Giles and incumbent William Holgate. Holgate is also seeking reelection to the Yates County Legislature. Highway Superintendent Louis Seeley is also looking for reelection to a two-year term.
Milo
In Milo, incumbent Councilmen James Harris and Gene Spanneut are running for reelection to the two open four-year seats. Current Town Clerk Patricia Christensen and Highway Superintendent Philip Strong will also be seeking reelection.
Benton
Benton incumbents Glenn Quackenbush and Becky Jensen will be seeking reelection to the two available four-year seats on the town board, while John Prendergast also seeks election as supervisor for a two-year term. Current Supervisor Robert Clark will be running for the Yates County Legislature, but not for reelection as Benton supervisor.
Italy
Italy Supervisor Margaret Dunn is running for reelection to a two-year term while also running for the Yates County Legislature. James Pierce and Ruth Craig are running for the two open seats on the town board being vacated by Donna Baron and Frederick Johnstone. Current Town Clerk Deborah Craig, Town Justice James Hicks and Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Hicks are all running for reelection to their respective positions.
Middlesex
Middlesex Supervisor Robert Multer will be seeking reelection to a two-year term, while incumbent Councilman Allan Button will be seeking reelection to a four-year term. The other available councilman position is currently held by Peter Gerbic, who has not submitted a party petition. Also on the Middlesex ballot are incumbent Town Clerk Kathryn Pelton, and Highway Superintendent Thomas Reifsteck.
Torrey
Incumbent Torrey Supervisor Patrick Flynn is running for another two-year term, along with Town Clerk Betty Daggett and Highway Superintendent Jeffrey Finger. Current Councilmen Burge Morris and Colby Petersen are seeking reelection to four-year terms on the town board.
Potter
Incumbent Potter Supervisor Leonard Lisenbee will be running for another four-year term, while current Councilman Timothy Pagel is also seeking reelection to his position. There is not yet a candidate for the second available seat currently held by Pamela Brown. Current Clerk Patricia Bootes and Highway Superintendent Arthur Parsons are both running for reelection as well.