State board ruling looks good for McGrath

Assembly candidate Brian S. McGrath scored an early victory Wednesday in the fight to stay on the Democratic line, while a challenge to state Sen. Darrel Aubertine's Independence Party petitions looks to have fizzled.

The state Board of Elections has preliminarily ruled that Mr. McGrath, Martinsburg, collected 23 more valid signatures than needed and will appear on the major party line on Nov. 2, according to paperwork supplied by the candidate.

John Conklin, the board's spokesman, said a bipartisan team would hold a hearing today in Albany to give the citizen objectors — Adam L. Odett, Mary E. Dasno and Dorothy Nabywaniec — an opportunity to rebut the initial findings.

"I'm pleased that the preliminary decision of the Board of Elections is to enfranchise the voters of the north country," said Mr. McGrath. "I feel equally confident that I will be on the Independence Party line come election time."

Mr. McGrath's petitions for that minor party line also were challenged, but no hearing has been set yet. He faces Republican Kenneth D. Blankenbush, Black River, in the Assembly race.

Mr. Conklin said the agency received a general objection to Mr. Aubertine's Independence petitions, but has not received specifics on what might have been wrong. The date for a citizen objector to file his or her specific objection was Monday, although the spokesman acknowledged the paperwork still might be en route to Albany.

Mr. Aubertine has been endorsed by the Democratic and Independence parties, and is being challenged by St. Lawrence County Clerk Patricia A. Ritchie, who has the support of the Republican and Conservative parties.

Mr. Conklin said there are no hearings yet scheduled for the challenge to Assemblywoman Addie Russell's Independence petitions.