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Batavia's David Bellavia may not qualify for line on NY-26 special election ballot

By Howard B. Owens

The Buffalo News is reporting that Batavia resident David Bellavia failed to turn in the proper paperwork to qualify for a line on the May 24 special election ballot for the NY-26.

While Bellavia's campaign turned in 3,600 signatures and the other campaigns apparently indicated they were not going to challenge the petitions, Bellavia was required by law to turn in an "acceptance letter," which he did not do by today's deadline.

The letter is required for a candidate running on a line that is not his party.

Meanwhile, Roll Call is reporting that Jack Davis should qualify for the ballot and is expecting to spend $3 million on the campaign. He reportedly plans to use most of the money targeting Republican candidate Jane Corwin, especially on jobs and free trade issues.

Davis is running on the "Tea Party" line, which has upset Buffalo's Rus Thompson, according to Roll Call.

Thompson said the "Tea Party" is a movement, not a political party.

George Richardson

Doesn't it feel good to be denied Democracy on a technicality? It's like having the referee ignore your signal for a timeout, totally refreshing.

Mar 26, 2011, 11:42am Permalink
Rex Lampke

Davis has ran as a Democrat in the last couple of elections and now as a tea party member? Seems the tea party in this area are putting forward some real winners. Slick Carl now Davis lol what a joke, a sad sad joke

Mar 26, 2011, 4:48pm Permalink
Brandon Burger

So did Bellavia accept the deal that was allegedly offered to him in Buffalo by (it is assumed) Chris Collins, Carl Paladino, and possibly Rus Thompson a week or two ago? Is Bellavia richer by a few K? Or is he being "given" an assembly seat?

Really, this whole deal is too fishy. In light of the recent reports regarding bribery, State Assembly seats, and backroom deals, how could Bellavia so carelessly let slip away his ballot position?

Is this being pursued further in the press?

Mar 29, 2011, 2:34pm Permalink
bud prevost

In a special election like this, I can see tight timelines, but 1 day? Too bad for Kathy Hochul, she stood to benefit the most if he got on the ballot. Now all those Bellavia votes will go to Corwin(who will not be our rep in 2013, thanks again Chris Lee).

Mar 29, 2011, 2:42pm Permalink
Brandon Burger

Bud, one day late does seem a little too tight, but I suppose a deadline is a deadline. For someone who went to all the trouble to get the petitions signed and to go through all the machinations involved to get himself on the ballot, missing any deadline seems lazy - or, worse, suspect.

Chris, will the BOE accept the letter? If not, has anyone asked Bellavia about it?

Mar 29, 2011, 2:59pm Permalink
bud prevost

I agree, a deadline is a deadline. Just funny(strange) how it is all coming about. I would like to think that David himself, with no input from the powers that be, decided against running. Perhaps he sees the writing on the wall, that being, this district is history. The eight counties that all lost population in the census, will all be in the same district next congress.

Mar 29, 2011, 5:29pm Permalink
John Roach

He was a local guy and a vet, so I was inclined to vote for him had he made it. But truly, with the other three candidates, all with enough money to buy advertising, he had no chance.

Mar 29, 2011, 5:54pm Permalink

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