America last night voted for change. A number of key national and local elections slid from the grip of the Republican party and into the hands of the Democrats, a trend not lost on local politicos.
“The color of choice tonight is blue,” said Chenango Democratic Committee Chairman Catherine Ulfik at the party’s Broad Street headquarters.
Many local Republicans attributed the Democrats’ advantage to national issues plaguing the party, such as the deteriorating situation in Iraq. “I think we’re seeing a tsunami effect of democratic voters coming out. It’s been an uphill battle. A lot of our politics are local; not everything is tied to Washington,” said Assemblyman Cliff Crouch, who reclaimed his GOP seat last night.
Thomas Morrone, Republican Committee Chair for Chenango County, congratulated a number of local Republican victors and expressed disappointment over the congressional race between Michael Arcuri and Raymond Meier. “Arcuri and Meier had a great run. I just hope Arcuri will be able to deliver like our Sherwood Boehlert,” said Morrone.
Last night New Berlin Democrat Elizabeth Garry became a New York State Supreme Court Justice. Garry was in a tight race with Madison County Republican Dennis McDermott which reached late into the evening as numbers stayed too close to call. At around 11 p.m., at the Joyce Law Office in Sherburne, Garry received word that she would represent the New York State Supreme Court Sixth District. A crowd of supporters crowded into the office cheered and applauded her victory.
Irad Ingraham, who served as a New York Supreme Court Justice for 12 years and was Garry’s mentor, said, “This is the first time a Democrat has been elected to the New York Supreme Court 6th District.”
Garry has served as the New Berlin Town Justice for five years and has been a trial attorney for the Joyce law firm for 12 years. She also assisted Judge Ingraham for four years.
Stephen Joyce, Garry’s current employer, said, “We’ve lost a top trial lawyer, but our loss is the district’s gain.”
Garry toasted and said she would “carry on a tradition of excellence. What I’m going to do is be the finest judge I can be.” Garry thanked her supporters and her campaign manager Dr. Richard Jorgensen. The initial feeling of many of her supporters was excitement and shock; however Ingraham remarked, “I never thought about what we would do if we lost.” Betsy Von Mechow, an avid supporter and close friend of Garry’s, said, “You get a group of people and work hard, and you can actually make a difference.”
Paul Estelow, 61, of Oxford, stood along side nearly 20 other Democrats at headquarters in downtown Norwich and watched America’s political face change. “I’ve been a Republican since I was old enough to vote,” said Estelow. “Two weeks ago I switched parties. Like most people I think it’s time for a change,” he said.
“People voted their heart, people voted their conscience,” said Ulfik.
Republican Elections Commissioner Harriet Jenkins judged a good voter turnout locally, but the final count is still being processed. “We’ve had a very good turnout today,” said Jenkins.
Other local races saw incumbents returned to office – Assemblymen Crouch and Gary Finch staved off opposition, as did State Senator Thomas Libous. Sen. James Seward ran unopposed.
Three propositions on the county ballot were also voted on. The Town of Guilford saw its town hall proposal defeated for a second time and the Town of Lincklaen saw its proposals passed, allowing their town supervisor and highway superintendent to serve longer terms.