No Democrats on ballots in Dresden, Hampton

The Republican parties in both Dresden and Hampton will run unopposed this fall after the Democratic parties in both towns failed to put forth any candidates during last weeks primaries.

The Hampton Democratic Committee met on Monday, Aug. 15 and was unable to nominate any candidates for this fall’s town wide election.

“No one came, that’s the quick solution to the question,” Dave Bridges, spokesperson for theHamptonparty said. “There will be no democrats on the ballet inHamptonthis fall.”

Bridges didn’t rule out the possibility that the party may write in a candidate but at the current time, they don’t have anyone in mind.

Asked if the would support the Republican candidates, Bridges replied the party is “uncommitted.”

Further west, the Dresden Democratic Party had similar results.

“We failed to find any candidates in Dresden,” Louise Davidson, Co-Chair of the Dresden Democratic Committee said. “It’s very depressing.”
She cited political apathy as the reason for the lack of candidates.

“No one really wants to run. I guess the biggest thing is not much is going on in these little towns. I considered running myself but I don’t believe much happens at the town level; everything happens at the county. I feel strongly in a movement toward consolidation or a town manager.”

The party was asked by their GOP counterparts if they would endorse the Republican candidates, but they declined.

“They asked for our endorsement, but we didn’t feel that was appropriate. They have enough of endorsement with no running against them,” Davidson said.

At present, the party has no plans to write in a candidate.

The lack of Democratic candidates means Republicans will likely run unopposed this fall, although it’s possible an Independent candidate could emerge.

The Republican candidates inDresdenthis fall are Robert Banks for supervisor; John Barber Jr. and Allen Wilbur for town councilman; Richard Hobus  for town highway superintendent; Jack Eggleston for town justice and Marci Wilbur for town clerk.

According to Shelia Comar, Chair of the Washington County Democratic Committee, it can be difficult to find democratic candidates in the county, particular in the northern region of the area.

“It’s hard for people to step forward; we are outnumbered here and it’s hard thing to run for office. You have to put everything on the line,” she said.

She said the party does have several candidates running for office at the county level for the positions of coroner and judge. She also said the party expects to have a full slate or candidates in some of the towns in the southern part of the county, including White Creek,Greenwichand possiblyCambridge.

Whitehallis expected to choose its candidates at their caucus on Saturday, Sept. 10.

At this point, it’s not known who will run on the democratic ticket in town.

The Whitehall Republican party has nominated George Armstrong for supervisor, Louis Pratt for highway superintendent, Farrell Prefountaine and Stephanie Safka for town councilman, and Julie Millett for town clerk.