The Albany County Independence Party met last week and endorsed a slate of candidates for November’s election.
While it is considered a minor party line, it has the third largest number of enrolled voters in Albany County behind the Democrats and Republicans. According to the state Board of Elections, as of last month, there are 103,227 enrolled Democrats, 37,642 enrolled Republicans and 10,516 enrolled in the Independence Party. There are 3,248 enrolled Conservatives, 697 in the Working Families Party and 637 Green Party members and 207 Libertarians.
There are 47,249 enrolled to vote but are not registered in any party.
Candidates with minor party lines, with catchy names, can attract voters on Election Day and votes tallied on those lines can swing close elections.
The Independence Party’s platform basically favors small government, small businesses and leans left on social issues.
“We are very honored to have this slate of candidates enter a rigorous interview process and our committee feels these individuals represent the values of the Independence Party,” said Albany County Chairman Paul Caputo.
In Colonie the party endorsed incumbent Supervisor Paula Mahan, incumbent Town Clerk Julie Gansle and incumbent Judge Peter Crummey.
Mahan is running against Republican George Scaringe.
For the three Town Board seats the party is allowing four candidates to run a primary: Democrats incumbent Paul Rosano and newcomer Jill Penn as well as Republican newcomers Fred Fields Jr. and Daniel Futia.
According to state Election Law, for a non-party member to run in a party primary the candidate must first receive the party’s permission, known as a Wilson Pakula.
For Legislature the party endorsed incumbent Republican Todd Drake in District 19; incumbent Democrat David Mayo in District 20, Republican Jennifer Whalen in District 21; incumbent Republican Peter Tunny in District 22; incumbent Republican Paul Burgdorf in District 23; Democrat Nathan Bruschi in District 24; Republican Joe O’Brien in District 25; Republican Patrice Lockart in District 26 and Republican Frank Mauriello in District 27.
