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St. Lawrence County Democrats endorse embattled county clerk Regan

Posted 3/24/11

The St. Lawrence County Democratic Executive Committee has endorsed County Clerk Gavin Regan as their candidate for that post in the November election. The committee announced Thursday that they had …

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St. Lawrence County Democrats endorse embattled county clerk Regan

Posted

The St. Lawrence County Democratic Executive Committee has endorsed County Clerk Gavin Regan as their candidate for that post in the November election.

The committee announced Thursday that they had unanimously endorsed Regan at their meeting on March 15.

Democrat Regan was appointed March 14 to fill the post, vacated by state Sen. Patty Ritchie after her election to the Senate.

Among Regan’s first moves was the firing of Republican Acting Clerk Mary Lou Rupp, who was Ritchie's deputy and her choice in the November election, a move that has provoked strong opposition from Republicans and some self-avowed Democrats.

Committee members report that visiting New York State Democratic Party Executive Director Charlie King personally congratulated Regan on his new position and wished him luck in the election.

A statement from the committee says that St. Lawrence County Democrats “have made it their mission to elect the first Democratic County Clerk in the history of St. Lawrence County.”

County Executive Committee Chairman Mark Bellardini was quoted as saying, “Regan was appointed by our governor because he proved he was the most fiscally responsible candidate and has shown that he will focus on the budgetary woes of not only St. Lawrence County but the entire State of New York as well.”

The committee’s statement said that Committee Vice Chair June O’Neill’s “motivational words no doubt influenced other executive committee members to join in on the mission of electing Gavin Regan St. Lawrence County Clerk.”