With the conclusion of the Nelson town Democratic caucus last Friday, Aug. 23, all Nelson town office candidates for the two major political parties, as well as on the Independent line, have been chosen. Numerous town government positions are up for election this November, including town supervisor, two seats on the town board, town clerk, town highway superintendent and town justice.
None of those elections will be contested in Nelson.
The town Republican Party, which selects candidates by petitions filed in early July, endorsed current incumbents Deborah J. Costello (town clerk), John R. Sevier Jr. (highway superintendent) and Patrick J. O’Sullivan (town justice) for reelection. The party did not select any candidates for town supervisor or the two town board seats.
Current town Councilor Dean Coe, who has served on the board for more than 20 years, has decided to retire at the end of this term and is not seeking reelection.
Independent petitions for town offices were required by the Madison County Board of Elections to be filed between Aug. 13 and 20. Two candidates will be on the Independent line in November: Deborah J. Costello for town clerk and Roger Bradstreet for town supervisor.
The Nelson Democratic caucus, held last week, selected candidates for all positions up for election except for town justice — including the endorsement of two Republican incumbents.
The Democrats selected incumbents Roger Bradstreet (town supervisor) and Michael Costello (town councilor) to seek reelection and will offer up newcomer Jen Marti to fill the seat being vacated by Dean Coe. The caucus members also endorsed Republicans Costello and Sevier, and selected no candidate to run for town justice.
“Ironic to some, caucus Democrats nominated incumbent Republicans Jack Sevier and Debbie Costello to the Democratic ballot, but anticipate they may decline and run on their Republican lines,” Bradstreet said. “It was a credit by all present, acknowledging the efforts and accomplishments of these incumbents, regardless of party. A positive attitude was publicly displayed, as Democrats acknowledged their satisfaction and support to these Republicans, encouraging them to continue serving.”
Democrats in Madison County have until Sept. 17 to caucus in each township to choose their candidates for town offices.
Cazenovia and Fenner Democrats have yet to caucus, although the Republican and Independent candidates have been chosen for those two towns.
The Cazenovia Republican will report on the final candidate selections for Cazenovia and Fenner town offices when all candidates have been selected.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
