AUBURN - A challenge to mayoral candidate David Dempsey's Democratic petition to run for mayor was denied by Cayuga County election officials Tuesday.
Former city councilor Charles Mason contended Dempsey used the names of the party's top three officers as his committee to fill vacancy on a majority of his petitions without their permission. The matter can be taken up as a fraud case in court, but is legal by election law standards, county commissioners determined.
“It validates what I said yesterday,” Dempsey said. “The violation they spoke of is unfounded.”
A committee to fill vacancy typically consists of a party's top three local officers if the candidate is endorsed by his or her committee. Dempsey did not receive the county Democratic Committee's endorsement this year, but used the names of chairwoman Katie Lacey, secretary Patricia Hunter and treasurer Robert Nagle.
All three signed statements saying Dempsey did so without their knowledge. However, Dempsey said he picked the three people most qualified to fill his position if he was unable to run.
“If he has such wide support of the people, he probably could've found three people to support him and put their names at the top of the petition,” Mason said.
Mason said Tuesday he's not eager to take the case to court, but didn't rule it out.
“The bottom line of this situation is three individuals were used on the David Dempsey petition and he didn't have their permission,” he said. “The message here is there's some questionable activity that was done.
“It may be an unanswered question and one that the voters will have to decide,” Mason said.
Dempsey took exception to the comment.
“The reality is that he and other party officials have tried to circumvent the people's vote,” he said. “The real question voters need to be asking is, 'Why?'”
Barring any further action, Dempsey will face former city fire chief Michael Quill in a Democratic primary Sept. 18. Dempsey, a current city councilor, will also run on the Independence Party line.
“I look forward to a vigorous debate on the issues,” Dempsey said. “I'll take my candidacy to the people and let them decide. That's what I've always done.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
“It validates what I said yesterday,” Dempsey said. “The violation they spoke of is unfounded.”
A committee to fill vacancy typically consists of a party's top three local officers if the candidate is endorsed by his or her committee. Dempsey did not receive the county Democratic Committee's endorsement this year, but used the names of chairwoman Katie Lacey, secretary Patricia Hunter and treasurer Robert Nagle.
All three signed statements saying Dempsey did so without their knowledge. However, Dempsey said he picked the three people most qualified to fill his position if he was unable to run.
“If he has such wide support of the people, he probably could've found three people to support him and put their names at the top of the petition,” Mason said.
Mason said Tuesday he's not eager to take the case to court, but didn't rule it out.
“The bottom line of this situation is three individuals were used on the David Dempsey petition and he didn't have their permission,” he said. “The message here is there's some questionable activity that was done.
“It may be an unanswered question and one that the voters will have to decide,” Mason said.
Dempsey took exception to the comment.
“The reality is that he and other party officials have tried to circumvent the people's vote,” he said. “The real question voters need to be asking is, 'Why?'”
Barring any further action, Dempsey will face former city fire chief Michael Quill in a Democratic primary Sept. 18. Dempsey, a current city councilor, will also run on the Independence Party line.
“I look forward to a vigorous debate on the issues,” Dempsey said. “I'll take my candidacy to the people and let them decide. That's what I've always done.”
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
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