Wes Laraway is certain his petitions to be an Assembly candidate will survive a challenge from an opponent’s supporter.
But the final word on Mr. Laraway's petitions may not come until early April.
Brian Righi of Cobleskill filed the challenge with the state Board of Elections in late February, presumably disputing signatures on Mr. Laraway’s petitions.
Mr. Laraway is an independent candidate running to replace Pete Lopez in the 102nd Assembly District. Republican Chris Tague and Democrat Aidan O’Connor Jr. are also in the three-way race that will be decided in a special election April 24.
Mr. Laraway believes Mr. Righi is a Tague supporter.
“Democrats didn’t challenge us at all,” Mr. Laraway said Satruday. “It seems Chris Tague wants to keep us off the ballot.”
Mr. Tague, currently Schoharie supervisor, denied being involved with the challenge.
“I’m not behind it. I didn’t file the challenge,” Mr. Tague said.
Contacted Saturday, Mr. Righi had no comment.
Mr. Tague and Mr. O’Connor filed their petitions earlier in February. Mr. Laraway joined the race a week or so later, as more than 100 volunteers secured over 2,100 signatures.
Mr. Laraway needed only 1,500 to get on the ballot.
Signors could be challenged if they don’t live in the district or aren’t registered voters, among other objections.
“They would have to throw out 700 signatures,” said Monica Miranda, a spokesperson for Mr. Laraway. “There’s no way there’s that many bad ones.”
Mr. Laraway agreed, adding that the challenge is an attempt to bully him out of the race.
“There’s no way they’re going to keep us out of the race,” he said.
Mr. Tague has no problem with Mr. Laraway being on the ballot.
“Everyone has the opportunity to run,” he said. “My campaign is prepared for a three-way race.”
Whether he's in or out of the race is unclear. John Conklin with the state Board of Elections said the staff will hold a hearing in Albany at 10am today, Wednesday.
The staff will make a recommendation on the petitions to the Board of elections, which will rule on them April 5.
If Mr. Laraway's petitions are found to be invalid, he could take the case to court, Mr. Conklin said.
Mr. O’Connor could not be reached for this story.