Skip to main content

GOP City Chair calls on local pro-life Democrats to switch parties, claims 'radical' Democrats withdrew support of Rose Mary Christian

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

I believe the local Democratic leadership has lost sight of its responsibility to serve its own constituents. Rose Mary Christian has represented Batavia’s sixth ward for over 28 years. Although I have at times agreed with her on issues and at other times disagreed, I have always respected the fact that Rosemary understands service at the local level and works very hard to serve the residents of the sixth ward. That’s why she’s held her seat for so long. All 28 years she has represented the sixth ward, Rosemary has enjoyed the support of local Democrats. However, that changed this year and it changed for reasons that should trouble any community-minded Batavia Democrat. 

Rosemary was very concerned with the radically liberal abortion/infanticide bill that was passed by Albany and Downstate Democrats and decided to speak out for the unborn. The local Democratic leadership, obviously in lockstep with the radical views prominent in Albany, New York, and Washington decided that an honest objection from a local Democrat who had the courage to speak out was unacceptable. Having endorsed Rosemary just a very few weeks earlier, the leadership decided to rescind her endorsement and suddenly a candidate emerged who tried, unsuccessfully, to challenge her in a primary this June. Isn’t there any loyalty to a local representative who has shown loyalty to her party and her constituents for so many years? Whose interests are to prevail in the Batavia and Genesee County Democratic Party; the local constituents, or the kingmakers in Albany? It looks like the answer is obvious. In addition, I respectfully hope Batavia’s sixth ward Democrats express their independence and send a message to the kingmakers by supporting your long term representative without punishing her for speaking up on an issue that she is passionate about; supporting the lives of the unborn.

If you want a better voice at the local level and an honest commitment to represent your interests first, join our local Republican party. I personally promise that your voice will be heard and respected. We are also committed to doing what’s best for the City of Batavia, even if that requires some sacrifices by our local candidates.

You can contact me or any Republican Committee person and we will happily assist you in making the change.

Sincerely,

David Saleh, Chairman,
City of Batavia Republican Committee

Scott Chismar

David Saleh, manages to hit almost all of the GOP talking points in one one short press release. If he would have somehow managed to insert 2nd Amendment issues into the release, he could be considered a replacement for Sarah Sanders.

A "Kingmaker" himself, I think we all know how loyal he would be to one of his GOP office holders who decided to have a change of heart and stray from his Party's platform. Imagine if they were to wake up one day and decide to take a "radical liberal position" and believe in things such as:

1. Tax policies should be fair and not benefit just the rich.

2. People of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths should be respected.

3. Mentally ill folks should not be able to possess firearms.

4. Women should receive equal pay while on the job.

5. Organizations such as the Special Olympics should not face funding cuts.

6. We need clean air and water to survive and need to protect it through regulations.

7. Foreign Governments should not influence our elections here in the USA.

8. Decisions and discussions between women and health care providers are private and
should not be political.

9. Building walls make enemies while building bridges make friends.

10. Racism, Sexism, are Homophobicism are wrong.

As Chairman of the City of Batavia Republican Committee, I would hope that Mr. Saleh would think that most of the 10 items listed above are true and accurate statements. Unfortunately, Our President is the highest Republican Official in the land and he does not agree with any of the 10.

Does Mr. Saleh agree with the President on all of these issues? If not, maybe he should consider stepping down from his position as Chairman. Or, better yet, maybe he should switch Parties.

Apr 24, 2019, 10:29am Permalink
John Roach

Scott, Funny you mention #5. It was the Albany Democrats that cut the funding in the State budget for the Special Olympics. However, the items you mention have not been brought up to City Council, as was the abortion law was. Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian went off the reservation was not endorsed as punishment. Republican Council woman Patti Pascino (2nd Ward) voted NO on a resolution asking for a repeal of the SAFE ACT (she supports it), but was still endorsed this year. Both parties had a Council person speak out against a hard core policy of their party. But, only the local Democrat Party punished one of their own.

Apr 24, 2019, 11:09am Permalink
Rich Richmond

Scott,

Dave's one political talking point was a focused laser about Rosemary, and upcoming City of Batavia Council Elections. We are talking City of Batavia Elections, not the National Democrat Party political talking points you talk about. You forgot, reparations, eliminating ICE, and forgiving all students loans to name a few.

Do you personally Rosemary Christian, or Dave Saleh. I've known both for years. I might not have always agreed with Rosemary on all issues, however, I applaud her years of dedicated service on the Council to the community.

Give me one example where the City of Batavia Republican Committee withheld or withdrew a nomination for a Republican on City Council for expressing a belief they held dear?

Apr 24, 2019, 11:20am Permalink
Scott Chismar

Rich, I said in my post "imagine if they woke up one day...." I did not say that it did happen. Maybe it has or maybe it has not. I do not know. My question posed was what would Mr. Saleh do if this scenario would present itself. I do find it odd that you mention National Democratic talking points that I forgot, yet you do not dispute that none of the 10 points I mention are things that the National GOP think are items of merit.

John, Betsy DeVos was the advocate for slashing Special Olympics by $17.6 million from the budget while at the same time urging Congress to spend more on her Charter Schools. And while doing so, she had no clue of how many Special Olympic participants would be effected.

Dave Saleh has a job to do as Chair of the Republican Party. His goal is to grow the Party. He was successful getting Kathy Briggs to switch and maybe he now has Christian on his radar. I do not fault him at all for doing his job.

It is interesting to note however, that many of the GOP folks in the GLOW area have a common theme and that is to bash the "One State Party" that they call New York. They beat the drum about the the 2nd amendment, and taxes and all the expected mantra of a political party. They like to say because Albany is controlled solely by Democrats that it is unhealthy and not good for Political system.

If this is the case, how does the defection of Briggs, and the courting of Christian and the current Democratic voters to switch Parties make Batavia any stronger? If it is bad that only Democrats are in Albany, wouldn't it also mean that it would be bad to have only Republicans in Batavia and Genesee County?

Apr 24, 2019, 11:55am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

That $17.6 million is only about 14 percent of the overall revenue for Special Olympics.

Special Olympics is a great program but why must it receive federal money? It clearly enjoys popular support among donors. It's a private organization, not a government program. I don't get the outrage over cutting funding.

And of course, charter schools should receive more funding.

All of this tribalism, of course, is why I'm glad I'm not a member of any political party. Once you join a tribe you can't evaluate issues on their own merit.

Apr 24, 2019, 12:29pm Permalink
John Roach

Scott, I know DeVos proposed that idea. But it was our State Democrats that actually did it. But is has nothing to do with the local City of Batavia Democrat Party committee throwing Councilwoman Christian under the bus because she dared to publicly go against her party leadership.

Apr 24, 2019, 12:30pm Permalink

Authentically Local