Friday, April 19, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
Members of the St. Lawrence County Conservative Committee say they are surprised and disappointed at a clause in the New York State Election Law that allows judicial candidates to collect signatures …
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Members of the St. Lawrence County Conservative Committee say they are surprised and disappointed at a clause in the New York State Election Law that allows judicial candidates to collect signatures on Conservative designating petitions without the committee’s endorsement.
“We endorsed just one candidate for Family Court Judge,” said Conservative Chair Henry “Hank” Ford. “That candidate, whom we believe is the best qualified, is Cecily Morris.”
Andrew Moses, who asked for, but was not granted the Conservative endorsement, has been circulating Conservative petitions.
In all other cases, a Certificate of Authorization, filed with the Board of Elections, is required for a candidate to claim the Conservative line on the ballot, Ford said.
New York State Election Law, 6-120, Section 4, however, allows any candidate for a judicial position to collect signatures on a Conservative petition without a Certificate of Authorization, he added.
“What this will do is force a primary for the Conservative line, regardless of our due diligence in selecting the candidate we felt best represented Conservative principles, was best qualified to be Family Court Judge, and deserved the Conservative line on the ballot,” Ford said.
“We had to check the law on this,” said Ford, “We’ve never had this happen before. We never had a candidate try to take our line regardless of their failure to win our endorsement.”
Ford expressed full confidence in Morris’s ability to earn the Conservative line on the ballot if forced to a primary.
“We are certain that when people look at Cecily’s qualifications, experience and compassion for families, they will realize that she is supremely qualified and will be a great Family Court judge.”
Morris has received the Democratic nomination, while Moses has the Republican line.
“We don’t select candidates based on their political party,” said Ford, “We choose the person that we feel best represents our principles and will do the best job for the people of the county. We always ask our candidates for any office to work in a bipartisan manner to better the lives of our citizens”
