Tussle over write-in campaign in Assembly race
Kimberly Jean-Pierre, Democratic incumbent candidate for New York State Assembly 11th District, poses for a portrait at her home on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. Credit: James Escher
Babylon Republicans have circulated petitions to get an opportunity to ballot for a write-in campaign for the Reform Party line in the 11th Assembly District. But GOP and Democratic officials say Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer has engineered a way for Assemb. Kimberly Jean-Pierre to win the ballot line, which normally goes to GOP candidates.
That’s because Schaffer last month got seven people before the deadline to enroll in the minor party, which had only one member in the Assembly district. Republicans registered only three people. The final numbers won’t be official until this week when election officials count write-in numbers.
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Babylon Republicans have circulated petitions to get an opportunity to ballot for a write-in campaign for the Reform Party line in the 11th Assembly District. But GOP and Democratic officials say Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer has engineered a way for Assemb. Kimberly Jean-Pierre to win the ballot line, which normally goes to GOP candidates.
That’s because Schaffer last month got seven people before the deadline to enroll in the minor party, which had only one member in the Assembly district. Republicans registered only three people. The final numbers won’t be official until this week when election officials count write-in numbers.
Meanwhile, Republicans who nominated no one for the race against Democrat Jean-Pierre are conducting polls on the prospects for Lindenhurst treasurer Shawn Cullinane, who waged a separate opportunity to ballot for the Republican nomination.
The GOP is polling because they believe voters may feel dissatisfied with Jean-Pierre, who succeeded longtime Assemb. Robert Sweeney, who retired two years ago.
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