Decisively denied nomination for a fourth term by his own party, Democratic sheriff Paul VanBlarcum was just as decisively endorsed by Republicans at their unofficial nominating convention in Kingston on Wednesday, May 30.
“I will not lose,” VanBlarcum declared to cheers and applause as he accepted the unanimous endorsement of about 125 Republican committee members at the Best Western Hotel.
VanBlarcum, who ran without opposition four years ago and with Republican endorsement, received just 15 percent of the vote from Democratic delegates at their May 21 party convention. He’s also expected to receive the Conservative and Independence Party nominations. Bringing into play the possibility that VanBlarcum will appear on four major party lines on November’s ballot, he sheriff said he plans to primary Democratic nominee Juan Figueroa for his own party’s nomination.
In other action, committee members endorsed incumbent state senators James Seward and George Amedore and nominated newcomers Annie Rabbitt and Tom Basile to fill seats being vacated by (respectively) Republican senators John Bonacic and Bill Larkin.
Brian Miller of New Hartford (Denning, Hardenburgh, Shawangunk and Wawarsing) was nominated for a second term. Chris Tague, who won a special election for Assembly in April to replace Pete Lopez, was nominated for a full term. The party did not nominate assembly candidates in the 103rd (Kevin Cahill) and 104th districts (the late Frank Skartados).
U.S. Rep. John Faso, who praised VanBlarcum profusely, was nominated for a second term.
Tom Turco was nominated for a 10th two-year term as Republican elections commissioner.
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