The Peru Gazette

Story Corrected 7:35 AM – Monday 9, 2013. Neither Kimberly Davis nor Susan Polhemus have the Conservative Party endorsement.

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s registered Independence and Conservative Party voters will have a chance to express their preferences for candidates on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 in Clinton County’s primary elections. Balloting will take place at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center from noon until 9 PM. Voters can either vote for the already endorsed candidate or make a write-in choice.

Given widespread dissatisfaction with the two largest national political parties, nominees for office often spend considerable time and money gaining third party support. Clinton County Democrats have historically been successful in acquiring the Working Families Party ballot line while Republicans have been equally successful in garnering Independence Party and Conservative Party support.

The primary election vote for Clinton County Treasurer has the most potential to impact the November elections. Republican Party nominee Susan Polhemus currently has the Independence Party ballot lines; however, Democratic Party nominee Kimberly Davis has mounted a write-in vote effort to replace Polhemus on the Independence Party line. Peru is important because 313 of the Independence Party’s 3,244 Clinton County party members reside in the community.

Three residences are competing for two open seats on the Peru Town Council. The Peru Democratic Party nominated Lana Knight and incumbent Jim Douglas. Peru Republicans nominated Donald McBrayer. McBrayer was also successful in being placed on the Independence Party and Conservative Party lines and will stay on those lines if he wins Tuesday’s vote.  Douglass is seeking write-in votes to replace McBrayer on both party lines while Lana Knight hopes to receive enough write-in ballots to replace McBrayer on the Conservative Party line.

Incumbent Republican Town Clerk-Tax Collector Kathy Flynn currently has the Conservative and Independence Party lines. Democratic Party nominee John Facteau is seeking write-in votes to replace Flynn on both those lines.