GOP Nod Goes To Bob O’Brien

For Hartwick Town Supervisor

HARTWICK – The GOP Town Committee voted this evening to give the endorsement for town supervisor to Hartwick hamlet Fire Chief Bob O’Brien, not the Republican two-term incumbent, David Butler.

O’Brien, the county’s recently named 911 Center coordinator, and Butler had been tied when absentee ballots in the Sept. 10 primary were counted Sept. 17, bouncing the choice to the town committee.

The nominee said “I’m relieved and I am very pleased that the Republicans thought I was the candidate to shape the future of Hartwick.”

Earlier in the evening, Butler said it would be wrong for the committee to endorse O’Brien, who had been a registered Democrat until he decided to run for supervisor.  “I’m the only real Republican,” he said.  But he expressed concern, noting Town Chairman Joe Marmorato had written a letter to the editor supporting O’Brien.

Also this evening, the county Democratic committee endorsed Town Board member Juli Sharratt for supervisor.  She and O’Brien were also tied for the Democratic nod when absentee ballots were counted Sept. 17.

Sharratt and Butler had tied in the Conservative primary, so, conceivably, the three candidates may face each other in the Nov. 3 general election.