NEWS
2013 Shows Incumbents in Trouble
2011 was a bit of a watershed year. The Supervisor's races, shaped by the flood, a death, and retirements saw a dramatic shift. The seats in Middleburgh, Schoharie, Sharon, and Richmondville all shifted hands.
In 2013 a similar landscape is forming. There are multiple incumbents fighting tough battles, with some not returning for the next County Board.
There are two races where there will definitely be a shift. The death of William Goblet will set up a new Supervisor in Wright, even after all of the wrangling on the Town Board. Come January next year either Republican nominee Amber Bleau or Democratic nominee Karl Remmers will take the seat. In the Town of Broome Anne Batz' retirement to run for Town Clerk leaves Bill Smith as the likely frontrunner.
In Jefferson, Dan Singletary-- although now running as a third-party candidate-- appears to be in major trouble as Republican nominee Sean Jordan has tapped into a vein of the community's populace angry with Singletary's antics.
In Cobleskill Tom Murray is in the fight of his political life. Challenged by Republican Leo McAllister he faces a well-known, generally well-liked candidate. McAllister's business experience matches Murray's and carries no negative baggage that Murray has become known for.
In Schoharie it is round number three between current Supervisor Gene Milone (D) and former Supervisor Martin Shrederis (R). Milone's campaigning seems to have him in the lead and Shrederis' efforts have dropped in recent weeks.
Phil Skowfoe (D) has an advantage in the Town of Fulton, but his 2011 race did see him drop to just below 50%. Frank Tatten does have a base of support in the community and it appears that even if Skowfoe wins next month, it will not be a bruiseless win.
The Board of Supervisors may see nearly half of its number change hands in this year's election. This would mark a large shift in the balance of both the political landscape and policy.
In 2013 a similar landscape is forming. There are multiple incumbents fighting tough battles, with some not returning for the next County Board.
There are two races where there will definitely be a shift. The death of William Goblet will set up a new Supervisor in Wright, even after all of the wrangling on the Town Board. Come January next year either Republican nominee Amber Bleau or Democratic nominee Karl Remmers will take the seat. In the Town of Broome Anne Batz' retirement to run for Town Clerk leaves Bill Smith as the likely frontrunner.
In Jefferson, Dan Singletary-- although now running as a third-party candidate-- appears to be in major trouble as Republican nominee Sean Jordan has tapped into a vein of the community's populace angry with Singletary's antics.
In Cobleskill Tom Murray is in the fight of his political life. Challenged by Republican Leo McAllister he faces a well-known, generally well-liked candidate. McAllister's business experience matches Murray's and carries no negative baggage that Murray has become known for.
In Schoharie it is round number three between current Supervisor Gene Milone (D) and former Supervisor Martin Shrederis (R). Milone's campaigning seems to have him in the lead and Shrederis' efforts have dropped in recent weeks.
Phil Skowfoe (D) has an advantage in the Town of Fulton, but his 2011 race did see him drop to just below 50%. Frank Tatten does have a base of support in the community and it appears that even if Skowfoe wins next month, it will not be a bruiseless win.
The Board of Supervisors may see nearly half of its number change hands in this year's election. This would mark a large shift in the balance of both the political landscape and policy.