SamPratt.com

Reports: County Dems endorse Yandik over Teachout

Will Yandik, Democratic candidate for Congress (Source: Campaign page on Facebook)

Livingston farmer Will Yandik was endorsed today by the Columbia County Democratic Committee (CCDC) to fill the soon-to-be vacant NY-19 Congressional seat currently held by Chris Gibson, according to several Democrats attending the meeting in Valatie.

Both Yandik and Teachout made half-hour presentations and took questions before the decision.

According to one committeeperson, the votes broke down 79.6% for Yandik, 20.4% for Teachout.

Another Democrat said that following that straw poll, the Committee unanimously endorsed Yandik by acclamation.

Teachout reportedly strive to focus on broadly-popular liberal issues, but faced questions about her short residency and very recent voter registration in the district. More than one attendee felt she dodged those questions and did not provide any real answer to concerns that her campaign would be hampered by allegations of district-shopping.

Voted 2429 1/2 Yandik
624 1/2 Teachout
CCDC endorses Yandik

Sent from my iPhone

Dems endorse Golden for D.A. as Hall relinquishes party chair

According to a committeeman, last night brought two major developments for the County Democratic Party.

Longtime chair Cyndy Hall has reportedly stepped down her position as chair due to health considerations. She will for the interim be replaced by Kinderhook committeeman (and former Town Board member) Peter Bujanow.

Meanwhile, the Committee considered two candidates to endorse for County District Attorney: Gene Keeler, who held the post in the 1980s, and attorney Kenneth Golden, a Valatie resident and former Assistant D.A. under Beth Cozzolino. The Democrats have apparently given their nod to Golden, who more recently worked for the New York State  Department of Labor.

Core Values

Columbia County’s own Harvest Spirits (makers of Core Vodka, et al.) are featured on the front of today's Times Dining section, in a story about specialty distillers in the Northeast. (Pictured here at Strongtree in Hudson.) Link here.