Cooperstown incumbent GOP Mayor backs Democrat for replacement
Story Created:
Mar 4, 2010 at 4:48 PM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 4, 2010 at 5:50 PM EST
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (WKTV) - Taxpayers in the Village of Cooperstown will soon be deciding who their new mayor will be. This year's election is drawing a lot of interest, but not because of any one big issue.
Carol Waller, the current Republican Mayor of Cooperstown, is not seeking another term. Waller has decided to endorse Democrat mayoral candidate Jeff Katz - the current Deputy Mayor - instead of Republican candidate Joe Booan, and the endorsement has caused quite a stir in the quiet village.
Katz said he believes the endorsement is a good thing, but that it will not be the deciding factor in the election.
"I think any support you get tends to help you," Katz said. "I don't see this in any sense as a thing that will cost me. I feel the hard work I have put in puts me in the position to be the next mayor."
Republican challenger Joe Booan said he wasn't surprised that he didn't get the mayor's endorsement, and the lack of support will not affect him.
"I don't need that endorsement," Booan said. "In fact, I am confident that there is a lot of support behind me. I am very energized by that support and very appreciative. So, I don't think it is a factor in this race."
So why cross party lines?
Current Mayor Waller said she feels Katz is the best candidate. She said she's fully aware that some people are upset about the decision, but that doesn't bother her.
"I love my family and friends the most and I love this village second," said Waller. "I feel I did not betray anyone at all. I feel what is best for the Village of Cooperstown is best for me."
Both candidates said they feel as though party endorsements do not make that much of a difference on the local level that it does at a national level. However, both agree that the decision has spurred a lot of interest within village - so much interest that both candidates feel voter turn out will be high.
Election day in Cooperstown is March 16, and polls open at Noon.
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