Newly minted state Senator Kathy Marchione is tapping her former deputy county clerk — and current acting Saratoga County clerk — to serve on her staff, again leaving a vacancy in her old office.
Marchione’s Director of Communications Liz Callaghan confirmed Acting Saratoga County Clerk Kate Jeanson would be joining the senator’s staff Friday, Feb. 15. Saratoga County Administrator Spencer Hellwig also confirmed the move, and said Jeanson has appointed Charles Foehser as deputy county clerk. Foehser is a manager within clerk’s office and will become acting county clerk when Jeanson leaves.
“He will be acting county clerk,” Hellwig said. “You can’t have the position empty.”
Hellwig added Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been interviewing candidates to fill the position temporarily until the November election. Among those under consideration is Ballston Supervisor Patti Southworth, who announced last week her intent to run for the position in November.
There has been no communication from the governor’s office, he added.
“I have no idea on when governor will appoint someone,” Hellwig said. “There has been no formal communication, it is a work in progress.”
According to Hellwig, Jeanson will be leaving on Feb. 14 and Charles Foehser will assume the role of county clerk on or before that date unless the governor makes appointment sooner. Marchione was the county clerk since being elected in 1997 until she won a tight Republican primary against Sen. Roy McDonald last year, and then went on to win the seat in the general election.
Hellwig said Foehser has expressed an eagerness to take on the responsibilities of the job.
“I think he has the qualities to run the office until an appointment is made,” said Hellwig.
He declined an interview on Foehser’s behalf.
“It is part of deal, now that he has assumed these responsibilities, he has to develop a relationship with the press,” said Hellwig.
Hellwig added he doesn’t think Foehser will be a candidate himself come November.
“I don’t see him at this point him running for the position, he has only indicated to me a desire to hold the deputy clerk position,” said Hellwig.
Attempts to contact Kate Jeanson were unsuccessful.