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Republicans Brace For Summer Race
by Eric Thomason
After its recent convention in Mahopac, the local Republican Party in Putnam County has been providing the best and worst of politics to the voters. The best is a high level of competition and the offering up of distinct candidate choices. The worst is in-party fighting. accusations, and a general feeling of nastiness in the air.
One of the causes of friction was the Party’s selection of Nick Chahales as the Republican candidate for District 9 Legislative Representative, a position held by incumbent Regina Morini. Morini felt slighted by the Republican Party and expressed wonder that the party she has represented would choose to support another candidate. However, though she lost at the convention, she has garnered support from prominent Republican office holders, much to the chagrin of Chahales.
Chahales won the convention vote yet was not supported by many Republican leaders within the County and State. They came out and pledged their support to Morini. Chahales admitted the support from prominent leaders hurt his feelings and said, "they should respect the endorsed candidate."
Morini staged a press conference in Carmel hours before the convention to display the support she received from some of the area’s top republicans including, State Senator Vincent Leibell, County Executive Bob Bondi, Legislative Chairman Bob Pozzi and Philipstown’s Legislator Vinny Tamagna.
Chahales said the press conference should have been held after the convention. He said, "most politicians would never do something like that until the endorsement was done." He called the action, "not respectful to the Republican Party. If they didn’t like the candidate endorsed, they should step aside and respect the Republican Party." However, he did concede, "it is a right to endorse whoever you want."
That was also the position of Republican Party leader Tony Scannapieco. Scannapieco said he was a little miffed that Morini was supported but agreed with Chahales that anyone has the right to endorse whomever they like.
Many members of the party were angered by the lack of support given to Morini and Philipstown’s Tamagna the year before. The anger even carried over to the Legislature’s sole Democrat, Sam Oliverio Jr., himself a former Republican. Days after the convention, Oliverio said of the support given to Morini, "it is a statement to the Republican Party. They have to stop eating their young. I see it all the time."
The leader of the Republican Party has been the focus of much of the anger from the orphaned members of the party. However, Scannapieco defended his actions in not supporting Morini. He reported that after Morini switched from the Democratic Party, she asked the Republican Party for support for one more term - and they gave it to her.
Said Scannapieco, "She wanted one term, that was the understanding I had...at urging, I agreed to let her run." Scannapieco said Chahales was set to run three years ago and stepped aside for the County. This year, he is not being asked to make the sacrifice again.
Legislator Terry Intrary said, "You have to be your own person and do what is best for the people." Explaining why he believed Morini received the support, Intrary said when you have a sitting candidate, whether it be the Republican or Democratic Party, "The party stays behind that person."
Chahales defended the party boss and said the accusation that he tells candidates what to do is just a "rumor" and "it is bad." He said he believes Scannapieco to be "very honest and straight. He is one of the most honest people I know." Chahales did say Scannapieco is an outspoken man and "maybe people take it the wrong way."
Chahales also defended the process of the convention, which had been criticized for the high number of proxy votes brought in. Responding to the criticisms brought forth by Sheriff candidate Deputy County Executive Don Smith and Legislator Morini that the proxies brought in by Scannapieco and others greatly influenced the outcome of the vote, Chahales said it was their side who took advantage of the proxy vote, not the party’s. He said, "I did know the other side had more proxies – if they had a problem they should look at the by-laws." He pointed out that the party’s committee has the right to change the rules.
There seem to be complaints about the proxies every convention. Scannapieco, who said there were proxies on both sides, said, "The losers always complain about the proxy. I’ve been involved in Republican politics for years and the loser always complains."
The infighting may effect the Republicans. Kent Legislator Intrary, who said he tries to stay out of the political side of his job, said of any party "if you have fighting within the family it is harmful."
Many of the current problems in the Republican Party, according to Scannapieco, stem from problems in the Democratic Party. He said, "the problem we are having right now is that the Democratic Party is weak." He said the Democrats have been weak everywhere in the County but Philipstown, and that has caused a lot of candidates to want to run as Republicans. This, causes leads to the presence of people within the Republican Party with Democratic ideals, and it is Scannapieco’s job to support the right candidate for the Republican Party.
Morini has said she will challenge Chahales in the Republican Primary and is confident she will come out on top. Chahales said he is glad. "I would not like Legislator Morini to withdraw," he said. "I would like people to have a choice. I believe with all my heart people should have a choice."
Deputy County Executive Don Smith has to decide this week if he is going to challenge Robert Thoubboron for his post as Sheriff of Putnam County in the Republican primary. Thoubboron has been an effective crime fighter but is troubled with legal accusations and a conviction for political targeting. Smith has received endorsements from the Independent, Conservative and Democratic parties.
With the primary not scheduled until September 7th, we should expect a summer full of political sparing.
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