Democrats and Republicans in Schoharie County are beginning to select local candidates to run in this November’s election with interesting races shaping up in Seward and Richmondville.
Several party caucuses have already been held and more will be scheduled before the nomination deadline of September 22.
Among those who have held caucuses are the Richmondville Democrats and the Schoharie Republicans while the caucus for the Seward Democrats was postponed to later this month.
According to party official Joseph Bernocco, the Richmondville Democrats have selected the following candidates to run in November: Scott Bennett of Podpadic Road for supervisor, incumbent highway superintendent Keith Althiser of Tuslor Drive for highway superintendent; incumbent Republican Herbert Needleman of Main Street, for justice; incumbent Vern Hall of Brooker Hollow Road and challenger Lloyd Stannard of Court Street for two four-year council seats; and incumbent Betsy Bernocco of Winegard Road, for a two-year seat.
Mr. Bennett was elected to the town board as a councilman last fall.
Incumbent supervisor John Barlow, a Republican, has announced that he is seeking re-election.
The Richmondville Republicans are scheduled to hold their caucus on August 5 at 7pm in the United Methodist Church.
In Seward, J. Carl Barbic said that the Democratic caucus had to be postponed from July 21 to Tuesday, August 18 because paperwork was not filed on time with the Board of Elections.
The caucus will be at the town barn at 7:45pm, Mr. Barbic said.
Mr. Barbic, who had been Seward supervisor for 26 years, said he will be seeking the nomination for supervisor, as he had two years ago.
He lost out in the caucus to Larry Phillips, who was eventually re-elected that November though Mr. Barbic came in close as a write-in.
Mr. Barbic, who has been attending town board meetings, said he will be “actively seeking support at the caucus.”
Mr. Phillips had said he was thinking about not running for re-election but may reconsider after a recent clash with Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry over county finances.
Mr. Phillips said Monday that he has not yet decided on whether he was running for re-election.
Mr. Phillips, who has served two terms as supervisor, said he will decide before the caucus.
Mr. Cherry used his own money to send letters to Seward residents urging them not to support Mr. Phillips.
Schoharie Republicans also selected candidates last week.
Nominated for re-election was Martin Shrederis who is completing his 12th year as supervisor.
Frank Lawyer and incumbent Alan Tavenner, both of Central Bridge, were selected to run for the town council. The seats of Mr. Tavenner and Democrat Matt Brisley are expiring.
Incumbent Dan Weideman was tapped to run for highway superintendent.
The caucuses for the Seward Republicans and Schoharie Democrats have not yet been set, according to county elections officials.