Brownell And Goodermote Win WFP Primary

by Kieron Kramer
According to Republican Rich Crist, the Rensselaer County Legislative Liaison, District 5 Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote won an important primary on September 15, capturing the Working Families Party line through an effective write-in campaign. The unofficial results on the County Board of Elections website dated September 15 at 10:24 pm shows 9 votes for Robert Melesky and 8 votes for Sue Putnam, Goodermote and Brownell’s opponents, who were endorsed by the Working Families Party. These results did not include absentee, affidavit ballots and/or write-in votes so there were no returns listed for Goodermote or Brownell.
Crist said that a final count at the Board of Elections showed Brownell and Goodermote capturing the line following the opening of absentee ballots and a recount of voting machines.
“We appreciate the support we received on September 15 and especially appreciate the support and hard work by our supporters and volunteers. This is a big win and gives us momentum as we head towards Election Day,” said Brownell.
The win in the September 15 Working Families primary means Brownell and Goodermote will be on the Republican, Independence, Conservative and Working Families lines in the November 3 general election.
“Voters have responded positively to our record, because we have worked to protect taxpayers and services during difficult economic times,” said Goodermote.
According to Crist, write-in campaigns are difficult, as voters have to go through more steps to write in the candidate of their choice instead of simply pulling down a lever to register a vote. He did not release a final vote count for Goodermote or Brownell in the Working Families Party primary.