Franklin County Conservatives announce endorsements

The Franklin County Conservative Party has endorsed a trio of candidates for public office ahead of this fall’s elections.

Party Chairman Robert White issued a series of press releases over the weekend announcing that his party will support Rick Lazio, Doug Hoffman and David Kimmel.
Lazio, a former Long Island Congressman, is running for governor as a Republican – but he’s gained endorsements from county Conservative Party committees throughout the state.

White points to Lazio’s fiscal conservatism as a primary reason for the endorsement.

“The committee believes that Mr. Lazio will bring fresh ideas to the Governor’s office and will help to restore fiscal responsibility and integrity to New York,” he said. “A sweeping change is needed, and electing Lazio would help bring that change about.”

So far, Lazio expects primary challenges from Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy – a conservative Democrat-turned Republican – and western New York businessman Carl Paladino, who says he’ll run as a Tea Party candidate if he fails to garner GOP support.

Last week, Essex County Republican Committee Chairman Ron Jackson blasted Ed Cox of the New York State Republican Committee for his support of Levy.

In the upcoming race for New York’s 23rd Congressional District seat, Franklin County Conservatives will support Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman.

Democratic Representative Bill Owens took over the post last year after edging out Hoffman in a special election to replace Army Secretary John McHugh.

Hoffman is the only candidate to officially declare so far, although he appeared alongside potential challengers Paul Maroun and Matt Doheny last week at a forum in Plattsburgh.

White called Hoffman a – quote – “true conservative.”

“Growing up in Saranac Lake in a poor family, he went on through hard work and determination to become a successful accountant and businessman,” he said. “We need small business owners like Mr. Hoffman in Congress, not career politicians.”

The third endorsement was for Plattsburgh businessman David Kimmel, who has his sights set on Janet Duprey’s 114th Assembly District seat.

White says Kimmel is a life-long Conservative Republican. White adds Kimmel signed a pledge that if elected he would not agree to any action that would result in a tax increase.

“He is pro-life, pro-family, and fiscally conservative,” White said. “He is just the type of citizen that we need to elect to help clean up the ethical swamp that is our current state Legislature.”

Kimmel is the only potential challenger to emerge so far in the race for Duprey’s seat.