Skip to main content

GOP has apparently found a way to replace Chris Collins on NY-27 ballot

By Howard B. Owens

The GOP chairs in the NY-27 will apparently meet soon now that a way has been found to remove the name of Chris Collins from the ballot in the race for the NY-27 congressional seat.

Collins dropped out of the race after being arrested Aug. 3 for alleged insider trading. He is charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, and lying to the FBI.

Dick Siebert, the Genesee County chair for the GOP, said he can't disclose any details and that he doesn't even know all of the details.

"I received a call from a source in Erie County and was led to believe that we will get Collins' name off the ballot with the opportunity to replace him with another candidate," Siebert said.

Siebert doesn't know yet when the GOP chairs will meet to discuss this latest development or pick a replacement candidate.

Both the Democrats and the Reform Party have candidates in the race. Nate McMurray, the Democrat, has issued statements blasting the Republicans for any attempt to remove Collins from the ballot and Larry Piegza has issued statements arguing he is the logical pick for the GOP chairs since he's a Trump supporter. Piegza has expressed frustration that none of the GOP chairs will even return his calls.

There are at least eight people vying for the GOP selection, including Batavia's own Steve Hawley, whom Siebert said he favors.

Whatever scheme the Republicans use to remove Collins from the ballot, the Democrats have vowed to fight it in the courts.

Steven Roth

In a time when many feel the best options aren't available at election time, it seems only proper that we be given a viable option to Mr Collins. This seems more like a service to the people & our democratic system than a "scheme the Republican use". I'm appalled at the bias shown by The Batavian in this article & it's damning choice of wording. I'll be watching for your endorsement of anyone BUT the Republican candidate......even if one of our own neighbors gets the nod.........

Sep 12, 2018, 8:05pm Permalink
david spaulding

Hi Steve, non-genius here wondering where the bias and damning choice of words are. I did read the article 6 times and can't figure out what you're talking about.... Would you be so kind as to enlighten me with a c&p of the bias and damning words?

Sep 12, 2018, 8:09pm Permalink
Dan Cragg

There is no bias or damning choice of words in the article. What it amounts to is the Democrats don't want a GOP candidate on the ballot to have to compete with. Since Mr. Collins suspended his campaign in light of the charges against him, he has not been convicted of anything at this point. There is nothing wrong with replacing him with another viable candidate IMHO.

Sep 12, 2018, 9:46pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

People who accuse journalists of bias usually have a huge unexamined blind spot. Their own humongous bias. If straight reporting doesn’t fit their concept of the world, it is biased. The don’t want to be confused by facts that don’t fit their own internal narrative.

Sep 12, 2018, 10:03pm Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

I gave you a thumbs up Steve as I agree that the people don't deserve to be punished by the system by reducing our choices. I do have to disagree with the contention that the article is biased. The republicans have created the whole situation by not working to undo the "rule" that precludes the replacement of a marginalized candidate. It is somewhat suspicious however that the investigation came to a head after the point of no return, when it looks as though the most damming "evidence" was garnered long ago.

Sep 12, 2018, 10:17pm Permalink
Daniel Norstrand

I just caught your comment Howard. Yes journalists are Godlike in their purity. Says the journalist. LTFOL. Reminds me of the old Saturday night live skit with Franken. Where the rather effeminate character sits in front of the mirror stroking his...ego. Jack Handy!

Sep 12, 2018, 11:27pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Hmm... It seems like it's a tough era to be a chair:
"The GOP chairs in the NY-27 will apparently meet soon..."
"... the Genesee County chair for the GOP, said he can't disclose any details..."
"... doesn't know yet when the GOP chairs will meet..."
"... none of the GOP chairs will even return his calls."

Perhaps some of them should consider trying out for the "sofa" designation. Or, has that idea been tabled already?

Sep 12, 2018, 11:45pm Permalink
Steven Roth

I guess this all reverts to personal interpretation of the wording. Thinking that I was misinterpreting the meaning, tone, or use of the word "scheme" I went to Webster's Dictionary. While I found that "a plan or program of action; especially : a crafty or secret one" was actually #3 on the list I found their 3 uses in sentences to be more enlightening..."His campaign treasurer and a fundraiser were convicted on felonies related to the straw-donor scheme, but Mr. Liu was never charged with any wrongdoing.

Katie Honan, WSJ, "Former New York City Comptroller to Take On State Senator for Queens Seat," 13 July 2018
To execute the scheme, the men requested interstate wire transfers which came to Austin from Treasury Department office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Gabrielle Banks, Houston Chronicle, "Pearland men face sentencing for fraudulent bidding under guise that disabled veteran was majority owner of business," 12 July 2018
That brings the total to $12,000 Another MC Squared employee found guilty in the scheme was Myron Harrod, of Lexington, who also gave $2,000.

Tom Loftus, The Courier-Journal, "Andy Beshear's 'tainted' donations may be more than what's in his fund," 11 July 2018"

Bottom line for those of us who are not journalists, do not understand bias, cannot comprehend the underlying tone of written words, & really should just take things at face value........saying the Republicans have a "scheme" & taking that in a negative way is as silly as thinking that I disagree with those that can't see through the smoke.

Sep 13, 2018, 6:11am Permalink
Brian Heick

Nothing like bending the rules before an election. Collins is on the ticket and should stay on the ticket. If they don't like the way it works I guess they should change the rules legally like good elected representatives should.

Sep 13, 2018, 7:32am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Steve, a scheme is a complicated plan. The GOP has been working behind closed doors for weeks to try and come up with a process to remove an endorsed candidate from the ballot. It hasn't been easy. Sounds like a scheme to me, objectively speaking.

Sep 13, 2018, 8:58am Permalink
Tim Miller

Daniel - swing and a miss, dude.... Al Franken never played the character Jack Handey. Jack Handey actually wrote the "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey".

Sep 13, 2018, 4:22pm Permalink

Authentically Local