Voting in primary elections will take place Tuesday in Montgomery County.
County Republican Party Chairman Joe Emanuele said he hopes voters take interest in the races this year.
“I’m going to be optimistic and hope people are going to get engaged in the local election,” Emanuele said. “I’m hoping people will get excited and want to let their voice be heard.”
A new development this year in the county is the elections to fill representatives on the new county legislature. Earlier this year, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors ratified a charter for a new form of government, creating nine new legislative districts instead of the current government with 15 supervisors. The districts will go into effect an legislators will take office Jan. 1. The county also will have a new elected executive taking office at that time.
“We’re hoping that the people in Montgomery realize things are going to be much different,” Emanuele said.
For the new county executive position, Matthew L. Ossenfort of Amsterdam, a Republican, is running unopposed for the Conservative Party nomination.
In the general election, Ossenfort will be up against Dominick Stagliano of St. Johnsville, a Democrat.
Brian D. Sweet, supervisor of Palatine, is in a primary race with Thomas L. Quackenbush, supervisor of Minden, for the District 2 legislative seat. Both are running for the Republican and Conservative nominations. Quackenbush also will be listed as a Democrat on the ballot in the November general election.
In the city of Amsterdam, Ronald Barone Sr. and Anthony D. Leggiero are running against one another for the Republican party nomination for 3rd Ward alderman.
In Canajoharie’s highway superintendent race, David A. Hodge and James E. Homkey are seeking the Republican nomination. They also are running on the Working Man and Bowerman party lines, respectively.
Charleston’s highway superintendent primary races include a race for the Democratic nomination between Merrill Wojcik and John A. Gross, as well as a Conservative Party primary between Wojcik and Robert D. Rhinehardt. Rhinehardt, Gross and Wojcik also will appear on independent lines in the general election.
In the town of Florida, Kathryn M. Hermance and Kim C. LaMont are running for the Republican nomination for town clerk/tax collector.
Whoever wins will face Denise B. Dennison, an independent candidate, in the general election. LaMont also is running on the Integrity Party line.
Thomas Krutz is running unopposed a Florida town council seat on an independent line, while Stephen M. Brown is running for town justice independently.
In Minden, Stephen R. Heiser, James F. Earing Jr., Thomas E. Yager, Joan Eckler and Bryan D. Hayes are competing for two Republican Party nominations for council positions.
Whoever wins will face Free Choice candidate Todd W. McFee in the general election.
Highway superintendent hopefuls Scott A. Crewell and Ronald Douglas also are vying for the Republican nomination. Whoever wins would face Albert Hayes of the Lindsay Party in the general election.
In Mohawk, Edward M. Bishop Sr. and James Hoffman are competing for the Republican nomination for town supervisor. Whoever wins will face Wayne T. DeMallie of the Frog Party in the general election.
William D. Holvig and Ronald G. Hinkle are both running for the Republican nomination for Mohawk highway superintendent. Both also will appear on independent lines in the general election.
In St. Johnsville, Ronald R. Millington, Ronald A Hezel and Susan M. Handy are running for two Republican Party nominations for town council.
