BAINBRIDGE – A meet and greet for Chenango County District Attorney candidate Zachary Wentworth is set to be held at 7 p.m. Friday, at the Bainbridge Town Hall serving as an opportunity for the community to hear the candidate’s reasons for running and plans for the office.
A presentation by Wentworth has been scheduled, followed by a question and answer period.
Wentworth explained the presentation has two purposes. “First, it is to give people an opportunity to meet me and learn who I am,” he said. “I think it is important that voters have the opportunity to meet me in person. Second, is that I am going to talk about why I am running and what I believe I can bring to the job.”
Wentworth said there are many things he would like to hear from those who attend the event.
“I would like to hear about their concerns with the criminal justice system,” said Wentworth. “What their perception is of the community. Do they feel safe? Do they feel their family is safe? And if not, why? I also want to know what people think is working well in the community.”
Gilda Ward, the event’s organizer said, “Wentworth will be the first person to seek the office held by incumbent Joseph McBride, a position McBride has held unopposed since first being elected in 1999. Wentworth seeks the office on several different party lines including Republican, Conservative, and Democrat. He is in the process of collecting signatures for these party lines.”
Wentworth explained that he is not officially on any ticket yet. He is a registered Republican and said he is challenging Mr. McBride in a Republican primary. “Before a primary can happen, I must collect signatures from five percent of all registered Republican voters in the county,” said Wentworth. “I’d like ten percent.”
Wentworth added that he also has the Democratic endorsement, and needs to collect the corresponding amount of Democratic signatures. “As the only person on this line, if I get the signatures, I will be on the ballot in November,” he said.
Additionally Wentworth said he is seeking to be on the Conservative part line. “I am in the process of obtaining authorization from the party as well as the signatures from registered Conservatives. If I get the requisite number of signatures, I will be on the ballot (or primary ballot) for each party I get enough signatures for,” he said. Wentworth explained that seeing a candidate run on multiple party lines is common.
Signatures will be collected at the event in Bainbridge. “We are always looking for more people to carry petitions,” said Wentworth. “Every signature counts and the more people collecting, the better. There are only about three weeks left to obtain the required amount.”
Ward said, “I feel that Zach Wentworth would be a good change for Chenango County. I believe that he has a strong desire to work for the benefit of the whole county as he represents the people as their prosecutor, while also striving to protect everyone's Constitutional rights, as well.”
Refreshments – ice cream and toppings from Gilligans in Sherburne – will be served at the event.
“I feel that it is very important that the voters of Chenango County be given a choice of who they want to serve them as District Attorney,” said Ward. “The voters need the opportunity to examine each candidate and make their choice at the ballot box.”
The Bainbridge Town Hall is located at 15 North Main St. in Bainbridge, parking is along the street and in the rear of the building. The event will be held on the building’s first floor.
Further information regarding Wentworth can be found at wentworthforda.com.