A challenge has been filed to Bethlehem supervisor candidate John Clarkson’s petition to trigger a Democratic primary, but it looks like that’s where the process will end.
Steven Thomas, who filed the general challenge, said he will not follow up with specific objections at the behest of Clarkson’s opponent and sitting Town Board member Kyle Kotary.
Thomas said he and members of the town’s Democratic Committee had reviewed Clarkson’s petition signatures.
We went through a few of the petitions and it seemed that there were errors in the petitions, various errors, he said. `Since that time I’ve talked to Kyle and Kyle asked that I not pursue any specific objections.`
Thomas is a registered Democrat.
Clarkson said he’s pleased to hear it’s apparent a primary will be moving forward.
`I look forward to a vigorous primary on the issues and on our relative ability to serve the office,` he said.
Kotary made similar comments.
`I have asked and I am asking all of my Democratic supporters to not object to Mr. Clarkson’s petitions. I not only strongly encourage, but I anxiously look forward to a good, hard fought campaign,` he said.
After filing a general objection, challengers must present the Board of Elections with specific challenges within six days. This can be a thorny part of election law, since entire pages of signatures have been known to be thrown out on the grounds of errant pen marks, botched addresses or dates or other minutiae, as well more serious issues such as invalid signatures.
Clarkson said he handed in about 850 signatures.
Kotary`a Democrat`is also running on the Independence and Republican lines. Clarkson is running on the Conservative line. The primary is Sept. 13.“