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Democrats circulate petitions to select candidates for Nov. 2 elections

AMENIA — Between the Republican primary in June and the Democrats circulating nomination petitions, not to mention an independent candidate who has thrown her hat into the ring, the town of Amenia now has its full lineup of candidates — both incumbents and those new to the ballot — running for office in the 2021 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Among the positions up for election, voters will be able to cast their ballots for town supervisor and town clerk as well as well as for two members on the Town Board. The town supervisor position holds a two-year term while the Town Board seats and the town clerk post each hold four-year terms.

Democratic candidates

After circulating petitions for the November ballot, the Amenia Democratic Committee nominated long-time Democratic Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner to run for another term this year. Klingner will run uncontested for the key municipal position.

For the two positions on the Town Board, the Democrats nominated party members Leo Blackman, a Planning Board member, and newcomer Catherine Lee to be their candidates come November. 

Independent candidate

Also running for Town Board is newcomer Stacy Mantel, who said she decided to withdraw from the Democratic Party and instead run on the Working Families party line.  

Republican recap

The Amenia Republican Primary  was held on Tuesday, June 22, at the Wassaic firehouse. Incumbent town Supervisor Victoria Perotti (R, C) won over newcomer Julie Doran, who also ran on the independent Amenia Strong ticket, which means she will still have a place on the ballot in the General Election. 

For the two open seats on the Town Board, incumbent Councilman James Morris came out ahead, with newcomer Brad Rebillard earning second place. Rebillard also ran on the Amenia Strong ticket. The pair will be the Republican nominees come November.

Newcomer Jamie Vitiello, another Amenia Strong candidate, and current Councilmember Michele Somogyi, who ran solely as a Republican, placed in third and fourth place, respectively, in the race for Town Board. 

Like his fellow Amenia Strong running mates, Vitiello will be on the ballot on Nov. 2. 

Kaitlin Lyle

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