Lancaster 2023 primary / election

[Lee Chowaniec]

Why unaffiliated / independent party voters should take interest in a primary when they have no skin in the game (no vote), is obvious as its outcome impacts whether their determined ‘best qualified candidate’ is on the November election ballot.

Lifelong unaffiliated voters (blanks), independent, and others who chose not to register as either Republican or Democrat leaves them but one minor party of size (Conservative Party) in hoping to find their candidate on the November election ballot. Many independent voters are reticent / abhor casting a vote on either major party line.

The Conservative Party just announced their endorsed candidates. It was a relief to find incumbent Town Clerk Diane Terranova as their endorsed candidate for re-election. No one is more deserving of being re-elected to a position she so capably fills, and one bearing no town policy / fiscal spending outcomes.

When the Republican Party recently announced their endorsed candidates, they did not endorse Ms. Terranova for Town Clerk despite her being the lone petitioner during the party’s candidate reviewing process. Despite her receiving glowing committee support for re-election from Republican Party Chair Sojka, Republican Party Councilmembers Robert Leary and Mark Burkard, and Highway Superintendent John Pilato at the Republican Party endorsement committee meeting.

Terranova was not endorsed by the Republican Party because she is undeserving, but simply because she is a registered Democrat and that didn't sit well with Mr. Mohr and his minions. Disappointing but not as ludicrous as when I heard a Cheektowaga Democratic Party Char say at a fundraiser: "Well, they are not the best candidates, but they are our candidates, and we have to support them."

Favored for endorsement by Lancaster Republican Party Chair Greg Sojka as the most qualified candidate and worthy of re-election, Terranova lost out in a close vote because of opposition from Republican BOE Commissioner Ralph Mohr’s committee support group who would rather play politics than endorse a worthy candidate who was not a registered Republican. So much for the mantra of endorsing and supporting the most qualified candidate for an elective position – the only candidate petitioning and interviewed for the Town Clerk’s office.

The Democrats have yet to meet and endorse candidates. They would be foolish not to endorse one of their own – an incumbent Town Clerk receiving glowing support for re-election from Republican Party Chair Sojka and several town employee committee members. The Democrats did not endorse Terranova in 2019, playing politics as well and cutting deals. The weak candidate the Democrats did endorse was primaried by Terranova and was crushed.

As then, the Democrats now have no strong candidate to endorse, and Terranova would primary and vanquish her opposition.
Republican Party Chair Sojka may have suffered a setback in not getting Democrat Terranova endorsed, but he will not tolerate the colluding and machinations that occurred between the Republican and Democratic Parties in Lancaster’s last election.

Considering the Republicans and Conservatives are in lockstep endorsing like candidates (supervisor and councilmembers), all eyes will be on the candidates the Democrats endorse – especially considering how poorly they did in their last deceitfully mismanaged campaign, and where board control flipped to Republicans; only the second time in the past 70 years.

The updated BOE Lancaster voter registry demographic will be published in the near future. More than likely it will illustrate a continuing trend where at one time the number of Democratic voters outnumbered the Republicans 2-1, that gap no longer exists, if a gap exists at all. Troubling for the Democrats.

Equally telling is the increase in town registered Conservatives and unaffiliated voters (blanks) – following the national trend of voters becoming disenchanted with both major political parties and the impact it will have on this year’s primary and election. The Conservative Party is becoming a force in determining primary and election outcome!

Will there be a primary. What party? Who will challenge the endorsed candidate? We will know in two weeks.

Game on!

Party endorsements must be announced by February 27

Primary Designating Petitions – February 28

Filing Designating Petitions - April 3-6

Last Date to File Authorization of Substitution After a Declination of a Designation

[shortstuff]

Why unaffiliated / independent party voters should take interest in a primary when they have no skin in the game (no vote), is obvious as its outcome impacts whether their determined ‘best qualified candidate’ is on the November election ballot.

Lifelong unaffiliated voters (blanks), independent, and others who chose not to register as either Republican or Democrat leaves them but one minor party of size (Conservative Party) in hoping to find their candidate on the November election ballot. Many independent voters are reticent / abhor casting a vote on either major party line.

The Conservative Party just announced their endorsed candidates. It was a relief to find incumbent Town Clerk Diane Terranova as their endorsed candidate for re-election. No one is more deserving of being re-elected to a position she so capably fills, and one bearing no town policy / fiscal spending outcomes.

When the Republican Party recently announced their endorsed candidates, they did not endorse Ms. Terranova for Town Clerk despite her being the lone petitioner during the party’s candidate reviewing process. Despite her receiving glowing committee support for re-election from Republican Party Chair Sojka, Republican Party Councilmembers Robert Leary and Mark Burkard, and Highway Superintendent John Pilato at the Republican Party endorsement committee meeting.

Terranova was not endorsed by the Republican Party because she is undeserving, but simply because she is a registered Democrat and that didn't sit well with Mr. Mohr and his minions. Disappointing but not as ludicrous as when I heard a Cheektowaga Democratic Party Char say at a fundraiser: "Well, they are not the best candidates, but they are our candidates, and we have to support them."

Favored for endorsement by Lancaster Republican Party Chair Greg Sojka as the most qualified candidate and worthy of re-election, Terranova lost out in a close vote because of opposition from Republican BOE Commissioner Ralph Mohr’s committee support group who would rather play politics than endorse a worthy candidate who was not a registered Republican. So much for the mantra of endorsing and supporting the most qualified candidate for an elective position – the only candidate petitioning and interviewed for the Town Clerk’s office.

The Democrats have yet to meet and endorse candidates. They would be foolish not to endorse one of their own – an incumbent Town Clerk receiving glowing support for re-election from Republican Party Chair Sojka and several town employee committee members. The Democrats did not endorse Terranova in 2019, playing politics as well and cutting deals. The weak candidate the Democrats did endorse was primaried by Terranova and was crushed.

As then, the Democrats now have no strong candidate to endorse, and Terranova would primary and vanquish her opposition.
Republican Party Chair Sojka may have suffered a setback in not getting Democrat Terranova endorsed, but he will not tolerate the colluding and machinations that occurred between the Republican and Democratic Parties in Lancaster’s last election.

Considering the Republicans and Conservatives are in lockstep endorsing like candidates (supervisor and councilmembers), all eyes will be on the candidates the Democrats endorse – especially considering how poorly they did in their last deceitfully mismanaged campaign, and where board control flipped to Republicans; only the second time in the past 70 years.

The updated BOE Lancaster voter registry demographic will be published in the near future. More than likely it will illustrate a continuing trend where at one time the number of Democratic voters outnumbered the Republicans 2-1, that gap no longer exists, if a gap exists at all. Troubling for the Democrats.

Equally telling is the increase in town registered Conservatives and unaffiliated voters (blanks) – following the national trend of voters becoming disenchanted with both major political parties and the impact it will have on this year’s primary and election. The Conservative Party is becoming a force in determining primary and election outcome!

Will there be a primary. What party? Who will challenge the endorsed candidate? We will know in two weeks.

Game on!

Party endorsements must be announced by February 27

Primary Designating Petitions – February 28

Filing Designating Petitions - April 3-6

Last Date to File Authorization of Substitution After a Declination of a Designation

Lee, is Chair Sojka in Mohr's back pocket?

[Lee Chowaniec]

Lee, is Chair Sojka in Mohr's back pocket?

Just the opposite.

Mohr and his patronage lackeys are still smarting from the last election where they colluded with the Democrats to usurp all political party lines, were called out for their deceit and beaten back by Sojka's 'Real Republicans' and with the help of the conservatives.

Sojka supported Democrat Terranova's endorsement as being the most qualified candidate, and only candidate to petition for an interview and endorsement. Mohr opposed her endorsement, had his minions there (no shows at other meetings) to deep six her endorsement.

Waiting for the Dems to announce endorsed candidates and for designating primary petitions when the **** will really hit the fan.

[A New Lancaster]

Sir,

Whoever your source is seems far more interested in dividing the party than uniting the party which is disheartening.

The vote against endorsing for town clerk was not close, in fact it was pushed by Mr. Sojkas closest people, it appeared that people were genuinely voting their conscience in not wanting a liberal democrat on the gop line. As the party didn’t endorse anyone that’s offering support of her without endorsing her by allowing her to run unopposed.

As for the rest of the meeting there was unanimous support for Mr. Leary, Mr Mohr actually offered words of support for him so I’m not sure why your source is demonizing him. The party supported both Studley and Schroeder overwhelmingly.

The meeting showed a lot of unity from both sides. I’m not sure who your source is but it’s sad to see they are trying to divide and tear apart our party.

[Lee Chowaniec]

Welcome to the Speakup forum, A New Lancaster. I also welcome your input and opinion as to what took place at the Republican Party endorsement meeting, especially considering your narrative indicates you were present at the meeting and present a dissimilar version.

I was not at the meeting but did hear from several committee members who were - not 'one source. I appreciate hearing both sides of a story and sincerely appreciate your account. That said, my comments to your narrative:

Whoever your source is seems far more interested in dividing the party than uniting the party which is disheartening.

As already stated, hearing from several meeting attendees. The party was already divided.

The vote against endorsing for town clerk was not close, in fact it was pushed by Mr. Sojkas closest people

But not by Mr. Sojka, right? Wasn’t Sojka in favor of endorsing Democrat Terranova for Town Clerk, claiming her to be the best qualified candidate, an incumbent with 8 years of experience, in a position not setting policy or spending town funds.

An 18-14 vote is not close? Or did I receive false information?

It appeared that people were genuinely voting their conscience in not wanting a liberal democrat on the gop line. As the party didn’t endorse anyone that’s offering support of her without endorsing her by allowing her to run unopposed.

Indeed, people are free to vote ‘their convictions.’ As a ‘lifelong blank’ I have a problem with political parties not endorsing the most qualified candidates because they are not affiliated with that party.

“As the party didn’t endorse anyone that’s offering support of her without endorsing her by allowing her to run unopposed.” Clever way of denying an endorsement.

As for the rest of the meeting there was unanimous support for Mr. Leary, Mr Mohr actually offered words of support for him so I’m not sure why your source is demonizing him. The party supported both Studley and Schroeder overwhelmingly.

The meeting showed a lot of unity from both sides. I’m not sure who your source is but it’s sad to see they are trying to divide and tear apart our party.

Not interested in debating this until the Dems endorse their candidates.

Looking forward to hearing more from you in the future. Just don’t want a repeat of the 'down-and dirty campaign of two years ago! Lancaster residents deserve better!

[gorja]

From the Town of Lancaster Democrstic committee Facebook page-
We had a productive second meeting of the year last night!

Our committee has voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates for election:

Diane Terranova for Town Clerk
Gary Howell for Public Library Board
Jan Yarborough for Library Board

[gorja]

From that same page -


Excuse the large print but that's how it turned out from the screen shot.

[gorja]

Has there ever been an election before in Lancaster that only had one candidate for every office up for election?

[Lee Chowaniec]

Gorga asks: Has there ever been an election before in Lancaster that only had one candidate for every office up for election?

Not to my knowledge or to anyone I have addressed that question to.

What I find interesting is that no one is questioning what led to this aberration when but two years ago at the last primary there were multiple challengers primarying across all Lancaster political party lines. Is today’s radical shift the result of the collusion that took place between Democrat and Republican parties in the last primary where candidates changed party affiliation to become eligible to receive cross endorsements – carrying not about political party values and policies / procedures, rather acting in their party’s and their own self-interests over that of the community.

The deceitful machinations were seen through by the voters and colluded Democrat-Republican cross-endorsed candidates were soundly defeated in the primaries by Conservative and disenchanted Republican candidates who named their opposing Republican Party coalition ‘The Real Republicans.’ No such chicanery has been noted this year – as of this writing.

Political Party Endorsements

Democratic Party

Diane Terranova for Town Clerk
Gary Howell for Public Library Board
Jan Yarborough for Library Board

Party Facebook admission: We have voted and endorsed the following candidates. For future elections we may endorse more candidates, but as we rebuild our committee we feel it’s best to take our time and ensure we are truly endorsing candidates we believe in.

An admission that the party had been weakened by party leadership shenanigans in the last election, is reorganizing, and at this time has no quality candidates to run against those endorsed by the Republican and Conservative parties at this time?

At least smart enough to take Terranova back into their fold and endorse her for Town Clerk – something they failed to do in the last election. Terranova primaried the party’s endorsed candidate and won handedly.

Republican Party

Supervisor – Robert Leary – Republican
Town Council – Melissa A. Studly – Republican
Town Council – Dawn Schroeder – Conservative

Voted to not endorse Diane Sovinsky Terranova for Town Clerk – the only individual interviewed and petitioning for Town Clerk endorsement - an incumbent deserving of the endorsement, but unfortunately a Democrat and not deemed worthy as being considered 'best qualified' candidate.

Conservative Party

Supervisor – Robert Leary – Republican
Town Clerk - Diane Sovinsky Terranova - Democrat
Town Council – Melissa A. Studly – Republican
Town Council – Dawn Schroeder – Conservative


NEXT: Changing voter registration demographics

[Lee Chowaniec]

Changing Lancaster registered voter demographics

In the past 70 years Lancaster’s town board has been under Democrat Party control for 64 of those 70 years. At one time, registered Democrat voters outnumbered Republican registered voters 2-1. Over the years the gap has been closed to near parity between the Democrat and Republican parties, and the conservative party and ‘blanks’ have experienced significant gains.

The change in voter registration demographics is another indicator that either Lancaster’s political ideology / values is changing or dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s organization / strategy is rising. The reason the Democratic Party issued a statement declaring they are reorganizing and building up their committee before they endorse candidates in future elections ‘they believe in,’ is telling and but another reason for the endorsement process taking place and/or absence of primary challengers – so far.

The conservative party has been steadily gaining registered voters in the past several years to the point it has become a force in determining primary and election outcomes – the tail often wagging the dog. It has become the party that has publicly committed itself to interviewing candidates of all political affiliations, determining qualifications, and endorsing individuals based on values, character, and agendas serving the best interests of the community.

2023 Lancaster voter registry

Democrats – 11,657
Republicans – 10,644
Conservatives – 1,456
Working Family Party – 182
Other – 1,332
Blanks – 7,924
Total – 33,198

2020 Lancaster Voter Registry

Democrats – 11,770
Republicans – 9,872
Conservatives – 1,127
Working Family Party – 168
Other – 2,170
Blanks – 6,732
Total – 31,839

In the past two years voter registration demographics have changed thus:

Total voter registration increase: 1,359; 4.2%

Democrat voter registration decrease: 113; 0.96%
Republican Party registration increase: 772; 7.8%
Conservative Party registration increase: 329; 3.0%
Blanks registration increase: 1,192; 17.7%
Other registration decrease: 832; 38.6% *
Working Family Party increase: 14; 8.3%

• Dissolution of Independence Party

Next: Endorsed candidates and possibility of a primary challenge

[gorja]

These are numbers from the Lancaster Republican's Facebook page.
If you look at last year's numbers compared to this year's, the Conservative registrants have decreased 3.0%

2022
Democrats -11,727 decrease .60%
Republicans - 10,472 increase 1.6%
Conservatives - 1502 decrease 3.0%
Working Family - 194 increase 6.2%
Others - 1337 - decrease .37%
Blanks - 7,740 - increase 2.4%
Total - 32,972

[Lee Chowaniec]

These are numbers from the Lancaster Republican's Facebook page.
If you look at last year's numbers compared to this year's, the Conservative registrants have decreased 3.0%

2022
Democrats -11,727 decrease .60%
Republicans - 10,472 increase 1.6%
Conservatives - 1502 decrease 3.0%
Working Family - 194 increase 6.2%
Others - 1337 - decrease .37%
Blanks - 7,740 - increase 2.4%
Total - 32,972

Interesting post Gorga, especially since you are focusing on the Conservative line registered voter decrease. You should know the reason for discrepancy between my data and yours.

My 2023 voter registration numbers are current (updated in February 2023) and from the BOE – as are the ones from 2020. Yours reflect what took place in the last two elections where voters were changing party affiliation to support candidates opposing endorsed candidates. A deceitful attempt to usurp the endorsement of all political party lines without any concern for party values / policies or in the best interest of the community, rather their own best interest.

In fact, in the last election even endorsed candidates from one party re-registered into another party to challenge the endorsed candidate of their ‘new’ party. In fact, haven’t you publicly admitted doing the same?

Don’t my numbers reflect that many of those voters who changed their registration to Conservative – playing that game in recent elections – changed back to their previous registration especially after the trouncing their candidates received.

Regardless, the voter registration trend indicates Lancaster is becoming ‘redder’ and the reason the Republican-Conservative bloc have the only three candidates endorsed for the town board – so far.

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
Interesting post Gorga, especially since you are focusing on the Conservative line registered voter decrease.

The only reason that I focused on the Conservatives was this-

Posted by Lee Chowaniec:
The conservative party has been steadily gaining registered voters in the past several years

I just didn't see that as a gain

[Lee Chowaniec]

The only reason that I focused on the Conservatives was this-


I just didn't see that as a gain

Perhaps the following data will present a clearer picture of the voter registration trend in Lancaster and the reason for the dissatisfaction in the Democratic Party and its diminishment, and the reason there is no challenge to endorsed Republican or Conservative Party candidates – so far.

Lets go back to political party registrations in 2019 – before all the nonsense of party re-registrations for political gain took place – 2019 vs. 2023:

2019 Democrats – 11,840
2023 Democrats – 11657
Decrease – 183; 1.54%

2019 Republicans – 9,668
2013 Republicans – 10,647
Increase – 979; 10.1%

2019 Conservatives – 1,001
2023 Conservatives – 1,456
Increase – 455; 45.4%

2019 – Blanks – 6,794
2023 – Blanks – 7,924
Increase – 1,130; 16.6%


2019 total registered voters – 31,496
2023 total registered voters – 33,198
Increase – 1902

% of registered Democrats in 2019 - 37.6
% of registered Democrats in 2023 – 35.1

% of registered Republicans in 2019 – 30.7
% 0f registered Republicans in 2023 – 32.1

% of registered Conservatives in 2019 – 3.2
% of registered Conservatives in 2023 – 4.4 *

% of Blanks registered in 2019 - 21.6
% of Blanks registered in 2023 – 23.9

• I recall there being less than 700 registered Conservatives 10 years ago – and a time when I could not understand why the Conservative Party endorsed a slate of Democrats for years; then and prior. That has changed.

So, the trend may not indicate significance to you, but well explains why the only Democrat endorsed for town elective office this year is incumbent Town Clerk Diane Terranova – endorsed by Democrats and Conservatives (smart), not by Republicans (dumb). IMHO!

What is of significance to me is the increase in registered blanks (16.7%) in the past 4 years. My people! A lifetime registered ‘blank.’

[gorja]

I was surprised to see NO Conservative petitions filed for any of the town's
Officials. Or is it still too early?

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/revie...9-60afaf210b4c