Losers of Hurley Dem Primary Find Places on GOP Line - byMaya Schubert/Kingston Wire
Two weeks ago, the Hurley GOP made the unusual decision to nominate several Democrats to the Republican ticket in this year’s town elections. Finding no candidates within the town's practically nonexistent Republican party, the GOP endorsed Councilman Mike Boms for town supervisor and Diana Cline for town board. Both are registered Democrats; both are also running on the line of the newly formed Keep Hurley Hurley.
Also on the Republican and “Keep Hurley Hurley” slate are independent Bill Mayhon for town board, Tracy Kellogg for town clerk, incumbent Highway Superintendent Mike Shultis and incumbent Republican town justice John Parker.
Boms made the switch to the Republican line after losing the Democratic primary to incumbent supervisor Melinda McKnight, 353-234, in June. Cline lost to Councilman Pete Humphries in the primary by three votes.
Following his defeat in the primary, Boms contacted Republican and former supervisor John Perry and later met with the town’s GOP. The Republicans warmly received Boms’ candidacy, but Boms made it clear that regardless of the endorsement, he held and would continue to hold his own views.
“Because I'm endorsed by the Republicans, doesn't mean I'm beholden to Republicans,” he said he told them. “I'm not beholden to the Republicans or the Democrats. I'm only beholden to the residents of the town.”
Boms has stated that he is running against what he sees as a divisive administration, repeatedly criticizing McKnight and Humphries’ dealings with the highway department and former town clerk Judy Mayhon. Perry and other Keep Hurley Hurley-ites have made similar critiques.
Boms has also criticized McKnight’s budgeting decisions and the draft comprehensive plan’s ideas about development. Boms believes business and multi-family development is necessary to keep the town alive and nurture its economy.
McKnight had little to say about her fellow Democrats’ unorthodox candidacy.
“My opinion is irrelevant,” she told Kingston Wire. “I'm really more interested in paying attention to what's in front of me and the things that I have to do.”
Once a majority Republican town, Hurley has swung left in recent years, like many New York municipalities. Without a real committee or chairperson in Hurley, the dwindling GOP is left to find support where it can. But Boms believes his endorsement will bring support from what Republicans remain as well as independents and dissenting Democrats.
“Being a Democrat endorsed by Republicans just shows that I can work across party lines,” Boms said.
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