BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- The race for District 12 of the county legislature is a tie between Democrat Pat Brady and Republican Marty Blair, with both having received 1,211 votes apiece. 

Elections officials confirmed the dead-heat, saying two military ballots are currently pending and are due by November 16. 

In the event the race remains tied after both ballots are received, a hand count will be conducted. 

Elections officials said if the race still remains tied after a hand count, a notice will be filed within three days of the vacancy with the state Board of Elections to inform them of a failure to elect.

The seat would become vacant on January 1 when current Legislator John Burke's term expires. 

In that case, Governor Kathy Hochul would then decide if a special election would be held to fill the vacancy within three days of the filing. 

If the governor decides to issue a special election, the election would be held between the 70th and 80th day following the filing. 

In that case, hypothetically, the seat could be filled by the end of March but would remain vacant for the duration of the special election process. 

What is most likely to happen, according to county officials, is for the governor to forgo the special election and allow the legislature to appoint a member to the seat to serve until next November's election.

If that were to happen, a committee of the whole legislature would be organized, per local law, according to County Attorney Steve Button. 

It would be at that time that all 14 remaining legislators would cast a ballot to appoint a replacement. 

The seat would then be on the ballot again in November to fill the remaining three-years of the position. 

County officials said they believe this may be the first time in the history of the legislature that a race has been a tie after absentee ballots were received. 

Like a number of races this November, District 12 was expected to be a tight race between Brady and Blair. 

Brady, a longtime educator and school administrator, has significant experience having served in multiple elected positions previously, including the Potsdam Town Board as Town Supervisor and Councilman.

Brady, who has called the North Country home his entire life, said it was his goal to continue to serve his community after 36 years in public education as a teacher, principal and superintendent.

In total, Brady spent 18 years at the helm of both the Potsdam and Massena Central School Districts. In recent years, Brady returned to public office, serving as a Potsdam Town Councilman. He also previously served as Town Supervisor and has worked as an adjunct professor at SUNY Potsdam.

“Those experiences have given me practical experience with budgets, personnel, labor relations, public policy, community partnerships and managing complex organizations. More importantly, I have had the opportunity to lead during difficult times,” Brady told North Country This Week. 

Blair has also been active in politics for a number of years, including the Town of Norfolk Planning Board and Town Board, having served on the Planning Board for six-and-a-half years prior to his three years on the Town Board. 

Blair said that experience is crucial to his efforts as he seeks a seat on the St. Lawrence County Legislature.

“That has given me an inside look at government, how it works and how we can

more efficient,” he said.

Blair also worked as a maintenance supervisor at the Kraft plant, as well as a cheese plant Chateaugay.

He said he’s no stranger to hard work.

“I ran the whole department at both facilities, so supervisory duties are not new to me. I know how hard work is necessary to complete the job and you don’t go home until the job is finished,” he said.

That work ethic and ethos are part of what he hopes to bring to the board, if elected.

A self-described “true conservative at heart,” Blair said he is also running on the Conservative ticket because it aligns with his personal values.

“I am conservative by nature. I want to bring taxes down, bring our costs down and find ways to support our residents,” he said.