BULLETIN

2 Democrats May

Challenge Seward

COOPERSTOWN – It appears state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, will be facing a Democratic challenge this fall when he runs for his 21st term.

Two candidates have surfaced, according to Otsego County Democratic chair Richard Abbate of Cooperstown.

One is a woman attorney from Ilion, Herkimer County, Audrey Dunning, who appears to have the financing, he said.  A press release is reportedly circulating, embargoed until 9:01 this evening.

The second is Jermaine Bagnall-Graham, Sherburne, who has asked the Chenango County Democratic Party for its support, and intends to do the same in Otsego, Abbate said.  He works at the Bassett Healthcare Network.

Abbate said the Otsego Democratic Committee plans to meet June 3, and hopes to speak to both candidates at that time.  “It’s too early to say anything about either candidate,” he said.  “I will wait until we see them and talk to them.

For his part, Republican County Chair Vince Casale said, “Senator Seward has a tremendous record of service in the district.  He also has broad support across the political spectrum and in the state.  I believe he will win reelection easily.”