Cayuga County Democrats selected a veteran of the Auburn Police Department to run for a vacant Legislature seat this week.

Thomas Weed, 59, of Throop, will take the Democratic line in a two-way race for the District 3 seat left empty by the death of Republican Legislator Bernard Smith in August. Weed has been appointed to several boards in the town of Throop, where he currently serves as zoning officer.

Democrats from the towns of Mentz, Montezuma and Throop chose Weed to ensure there is a choice in the election to finish Smith's term expiring in 2010.

The Vietnam War veteran is a strong candidate for the district, Democratic Committee Chairwoman Kate Lacey said Tuesday.

“There's an absolute need that there be a choice because there's so much going wrong in the county and the county legislature,” she said.

County Republicans named David Axton, 37, of Port Byron, their candidate last week.

Axton also earned the endorsement of the Conservative Party, according to the county Board of Elections.

The Independence Party had not submitted any candidates or endorsements for the raise as of the Tuesday deadline to put names on the ballot.