The National Rifle Association today awarded an “A” rating, its strongest, to a Republican and to a Democrat running for office in St. Lawrence County.

State Senate candidate Patty Ritchie, a Republican from Heuvelton running to win Darrel Aubertine's 48th District Senate seat, and Brian McGrath, a Democrat from Lowville running for the 122nd Assembly District seat being vacated by Dede Scozzafava, each earned the endorsement of the gun owner education and lobbying group.

“As a person who enjoys the outdoors and comes from a long line of sportsmen and women," Ritchie said, "I am extremely gratified by the NRA’s recognition.”

McGrath said, "Owning firearms is a right and responsibility and I am the North Country's strongest advocate for both."

Ritchie denounced the steep increases in hunting license fees which she says were supported by her opponent, Sen. Aubertine, and enacted into law, and which will cost sportsmen hundreds of dollars more over their lifetimes, Ritchie said.

McGrath said, "One of my first action items if elected is to fight to reduce the state's price tag for hunting and fishing licenses. It's tantamount to a food tax on so many North Country families, and it's wrong."