Gray, Burto looking at Independence shift

Two prominent Jefferson County Republicans said Tuesday they're giving serious thought to taking the helm of the soon-to-be disbanded county Independence Party.

Scott A. Gray, a county legislator from the city, and Scott M. Burto, West Carthage mayor, both said they're interested in making the Independence Party into a safe haven for people who don't agree with the major parties' moves to their extremes.

"Truly people are looking for reasonable, centrist-minded solutions that government can provide," said Mr. Gray. "I don't think they want government to control their life, but government has got to answer some of the problems out there."

Leaders of the local Independence Party opted against passing petitions to continue their committee, citing a lack of interest from within their group. In Jefferson County, there are 3,052 registered Independence members, about one-ninth the size of the Republican Party here.

Mr. Burto's impetus to consider the change was his growing disillusionment with the partisan divide nationwide. He said the gap has become so pronounced that governing has become "not about what's best for the residents we represent. It's about drawing the line and supporting the party."

The mayor, who said he's actively campaigned for Republicans for 11 years, said joining the Independence Party would give him an opportunity to support the best candidates, regardless of registration.

Mr. Burto raised eyebrows this spring when he considered joining the Democratic Party to run for state Assembly, after supporting Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, a moderate Republican, in the 23rd Congressional District race last fall.

Last week, he lent his support to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew M. Cuomo, saying Tuesday that "his platform for reform and his agenda go along with my feelings and are in the best interests of New York right now."

Mr. Gray, who once ran for state Assembly, said his consideration "is not about ambition. It's not about power. It's not about launching anything." The county legislator said he is not interested in running for any state or federal office.

He also said this was not a coordinated attempt by local Republicans to co-opt a flagging party in an effort to steer endorsements toward GOP members.

"It can't be a spot that people go just to leverage power," he said. "I want to look at some history — why it (the party) began, what it was formed for and see if there's any chance to redirect the party back to its principles."

Watertown Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham, who first reported Mr. Gray's interest on his blog, said he did not believe the two lawmakers were scheming.

"I think they're both sincere," the Independence Party member said.

Mr. Graham said the local party started out in a high-minded way 12 years ago, but "sort of degenerated."

"Everyone wants access to power and influence," he said. "You want to curry favor with incumbents."

The local party, headed by Chairman John Rice, hasn't fielded a party member on its line for a while. The mayor noted the leaders, including himself, had become lackadaisical about grilling candidates.

"These people would call John's store, or sometimes me, and think they could order a Wilson-Pakula like you could order a pizza," he said.

A Wilson-Pakula certificate gives a non-party member the ability to use the party's line in an upcoming election.

Mr. Gray and Mr. Burto both said they need to talk with local and state Independence members before they make a final decision. Mr. Gray has set his deadline for the end of summer, with Mr. Burto saying he'd decide before Oct. 8, the last day in which he could make a party switch official before the November general election.