Primary Choices

Tuesday is Primary Day. And, in these parts it's typically a pretty big day because so many local municipalities are essentially dominated by one party. Thus, those winning this week will likely face little, if ay opposition in November.

Within the 518, two prominent positions, Albany Mayor and Saratoga County Sheriff, are up for grabs. For all intents and purposes, it's the first time in decades either one has been really contested, as incumbents Jerry Jennings and Jim Bowen are both stepping down. Jennings has been at the helm of New York's capital city since 1993, and only its third mayor since World War II. Bowen has been the chief law officer for Saratoga County even longer, since Governor Nelson Rockefeller (!) appointed him in 1972. Which means it's now been over 30 years in which he has not uttered not a single word to the news media about any action, arrest, etc his department has had a hand in.

So much has changed since I last lived in Albany. Primaries were not needed then, as the Democratic machine told you who to vote for. And, if by chance (gasp!) you were not a registered Democrat, your home assessment would be raised until you were. In the unlikely event the party's choice was perhaps a little short of the winning margin (even after many had voted 3 or 4 times) in November, there were several residents of Albany Rural Cemetery whose votes would make the difference for him.

Now Albany will trade in the orange tan of Jennings for either City Treasurer Kathy Sheehan or former Councilman Corey Ellis. If Jennings, then considered a maverick when upsetting party choice Harold Joyce in 1993, didn't spell the end of the Albany Democratic Machine, the end is certainly here now. Neither Sheehan or Ellis have ties to the old ways of the city.

While Sheehan has a comfortable lead in the polls, she is in no way a shoo-in. She and Ellis have run a spirited contest, largely based on issues. So much so, it is barely even mentioned anymore that Albany's next mayor will be either be a man of color, or a woman. Either would have been unimaginable 20 years ago, which speaks volumes on how far Albany has progressed.

Then there is the race for Sheriff in Saratoga County. It was suppose to be a slam dunk, with the Republican's endorsed candidate, Michael Zurlo, a longtime employee in the Sheriff's Department, cruising to victory.

Instead, Jeff Gildersleeve, formerly of the New York State Police, has run a hard campaign. And, those who have dealt with the current regime would have to like the fact he has pledged to modernize the department, which is long overdue. And, the fact (according to the Saratogian) there will be no debates is disappointing.

However the issue which has come to define this battle is the New York SAFE Act, the gun-control law which came down a little while ago. Like many (including this blogger, and I don't even own any guns), the candidates don't like it. Unlike many, candidate Gildersleeve is on record of not supporting it if he becomes sheriff.

On his official website he states, “I have said that I will not actively enforce the SAFE Act while it makes its way through the judicial process.”

This is from the person who wants to be top cop? What would he then do if he arrests someone and is told by the offender they considered the law to be unconstitutional (which is one of the reasons Gildersleeve gives for his pledge not to enforce the SAFE Act) and as such chose not to adhere to it?

Sets a pretty bad precedent, eh?

For a candidate who pledges modernization, to “bring the 21^st Century into the Sheriff's Department in Saratoga County," this instead hearkens back to the 19^th Century, when sheriffs made their own laws. Perhaps a run for the NYS legislature, where laws are made would be a better fit for Gildersleeve.

Primary Day is Tuesday, September 10; polls are open from noon until 9:00pm.

'Til next time, keep on smiling.