John Byrne of Cape Vincent, in his second try to take the seat now held by Democratic Assemblyman Addie Russell, says he has secured ballot lines with the Conservative, Independence and Reform parties on the November ballot in the 116th Assembly District race.

The 116th, informally known as the River District, encompasses 23 towns and two cities in northern and central St. Lawrence County, as well as northern Jefferson County.

Byrne, a businessman and Republican former Town of Cape Vincent board member who came close to unseating the Theresa Democrat two years ago, is also vying for the nomination of the Republican party for a second time and will be in the Sept. 13 Republican primary facing former Hammond judge Bill Sheridan and Russ Finley of Lisbon, Conservative Party candidate for the 116th District seat two years ago.

In a press release on the party ballot lines, Byrne said those who signed his petitions “have inspired me to work tirelessly this election and to convince voters that I can be a strong advocate for them in Albany.”

Byrne received more than 14,500 votes during the 116th Assembly District election two years ago. Russell was elected with less than 48 percent of the vote in one of the closest races for state office in 2014.

“To demonstrate that he has maintained that strong level of support, the candidate submitted more than twice the required number of Republican and Independence signatures and four times the number of Conservative signatures needed,” the press announcement said. “The submission impressed the state Conservative Party committee, who picked Byrne over two other candidates to represent their line.”

“John has espoused the Conservative ideals that our party - and many people of the north country - hold dear,” said Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long. “I look forward to John being elected in November and the Assembly gaining another strong conservative voice.”