Gotta Love Those “Place-Holder” Candidates
Tags: Byron Brown, Mickey Kearns, Rick Gattone
While there has been more attention on Mickey Kearns’s futile effort to oust Byron Brown in the Democrat primary, those of us on the other side of the aisle have our own useless election to pay attention to. It is so useless in fact that Buffalo Republicans have selected a “place-holder” candidate, who way or may not be the candidate in November, while they wait for serious candidates who are contemplating running a losing battle.
Buffalo Republicans Wednesday voted to put businessman Rick Gattone’s name on designating petitions for mayor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be their candidate in November.
Buffalo GOP Chairman Dennis V. Ryan said today his mayoral search is still very much in progress, and that Gattone’s name was inserted on petitions now on the street to “hold the line” while others considering the race make their decisions.
“To start the petition process, Rick was one of several people willing to put their name on petitions until we find a candidate,” Ryan said. “None were serious candidates.”
Ryan acknowledged the possibility that Gattone eventually could emerge as the Republican candidate, but said the party is still talking to other potential entries in the race.
Well, maybe the Republican option will be more attractive after another term of fail leadership from Byron Brown.
Matt Margolis is co-author (with Mark Noonan) of Caucus of Corruption: The Truth About The New Democratic Majority. He also blogs at Blogs For Victory. Follow Matt on Twitter.
[...] know that months ago, the Buffalo GOP seemed ready to put up a candidate for mayor. But, Rick Gattone’s candidacy was shortlived, and the Buffalo GOP didn’t give Matthew [...]