The St. Lawrence County Legislature, now dominated by Democrats, could become controlled by the GOP following Tuesday’s election. Now made up of 10 Democrats and five Republicans, the legislature …
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The St. Lawrence County Legislature, now dominated by Democrats, could become controlled by the GOP following Tuesday’s election.
Now made up of 10 Democrats and five Republicans, the legislature is guaranteed to lose two Democrats, which would close the gap to 8-7 in favor of the Democrats.
Democrats Tedra L. Cobb in District 8, which covers parts of Potsdam, Canton and Madrid, and Laura J. Perry in District 7, primarily south and east of Potsdam, have both declined to run and no Democrats are seeking to replace them. Republican Kevin Acres and Conservative Russ Finley are running in District 8 and Republican Scott Sutherland and Conservative Lucien N. Plante are the candidates in District 7.
Meanwhile, in Potsdam’s District 10, Republican challenger Karl Ortmeyer could win if enough of the Democratic vote is split between incumbent J. Patrick Turbett and Jim A. Bunstone. Turbett failed to get onto the Democratic ballot because some of his petition signatures were ruled invalid, leaving Bunstone with more qualifying signatures. Turbett is continuing to fight to keep his seat, however, and is on the Citizens for Ethical Government Party line.
Should Ortmeyer win, baring any other changes, that would be enough to tip the scales in favor of the GOP.
Further increasing the odds of a Republican victory is the fact that of the six other contests for county legislator, four involve seats now held by Democrats while only two are for seats occupied by a member of the GOP.
In District 1 in Ogdensburg, incumbent Democrat Vernon D. Burns is being challenged by Republican Bob Flavin.
In Canton’s District 9, Democrat Peter FitzRandolph is stepping down, and Republican John Clark has mounted an aggressive campaign for the seat, facing Democrat Stephen M. Putman.
In District 11, which covers the eastern part of Potsdam and Stockholm, Democrat Charles House is not running again. Democrat Gavin M. Regan, whose mother Marie is Potsdam town supervisor, is facing Republican Daniel Parker for that seat.
And in Massena’s District 15, where Democrat Dan Girard is stepping down, Democrat Jonathan Putney and Republican Kevin Perretta are vying for the seat.
The only Republican-held seats vulnerable to a change is District 4 on the western edge of the county, where incumbent Republican Alex MacKinnon is being challenged by Democrat Michele W. McQueer, and in District 13 in the Massena-Winthrop area, where Republican Thomas R. Grow is facing Democrat Tony Arquiett.
Incumbent Republicans facing no challengers include Joseph Lightfoot in District 3 and Donald A. Peck in District 5.
In District 2, Dave Forsythe, who is seeking the GOP nod for the 118th Assembly seat, is not running again. However, the seat will remain in GOP hands because Republican Mark Akins is the only candidate running for the position.
Democrats not facing a Republican challenge include incumbents Frederick S. Morrill in District 8, Sallie A. Brothers in District 12 and Gregory M. Paquin in District 14.