With three local political parties meeting to designate candidates for this fall's elections this coming week, the race is on to shore up local political tickets.

It hasn't been easy and the horizon doesn't look promising to have competitive races across the board. While there is certainty that there will be a race for Cayuga County district attorney to replace James Vargason and possible races to replace outgoing county Legislators David Pappert, R-Auburn, and Michelle Sedor, D-Sennett, it is not clear if there are going to be for 10 other posts.

While things can still change, it looks as if there may be no Democratic candidates to run against County Clerk Susan Dwyer and possibly Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, as well as Legislators Fran Mitchell, R-Locke, Ann Petrus, R-Brutus, Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, or to replace retiring Legislator Paul Dudley, R-Cato.

In the city, some Democratic leaders, even though they are not fans of incumbent Mayor Timothy C. Lattimore, a Republican, would rather not endorse City Councilor and mayoral candidate David Dempsey. They are said to be looking for ways of not endorsing him for either mayor or council. It also looks as if City Councilor Thomas McNabb may not have an opponent again.

While Republicans are having trouble recruiting two candidates to run for council seats, Democrats are said to be having a hard time to find another to fill the vacancy being created by Dempsey's mayoral run, though the Independence Party nominated Peter Kotzer.

Normally parties would not look to have candidates run if they have just run a campaign, but that may not be the case right now with Auburn school board President Michael Stearns. Having just won school board re-election last month to a third term, there is hope in some Democratic quarters that he might still run for the Cayuga County Legislature.

His original decision to run for re-election instead of running for the seat now held by Legislator Michael Lepak, D-Auburn, disappointed many in the southwest sector of the city from both parties. Many felt his decision to run for re-election was based on two factors - wanting to take part in the search for a replacement for outgoing school Superintendent John Plume and, bluntly, repelling perennial candidate Jerry Morgan, who does not support the current school board. Previously announcing that he would not seek to be president of the board, there is talk that Stearns could exercise the option of both helping bring the superintendent's search to conclusion and running in the 14th District. Should he run and be elected, he could, if he chose, step down from the school board in January.

Both main political parties are scrambling to find standard bearers in the district that has been represented by the Legislature's most senior member for more than three decades. One name now floating around - John Chick, who is being sentenced in federal court next week for his role in Asbestosgate - may have no party interested in endorsing him.

Cosentino is a former mayor of the city of Auburn and can be contacted at cozguytho@aol.com.