Vasquez Petition Challenge moves to Court

[Wiseburn]

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=707054&category=REGIONOTHER

...

Vasquez spokesman and attorney Warren Redlich said he'll argue that an amended challenge filed Friday with the court by Buhrmaster, which added more objections, should be thrown out because Thursday was the deadline to file such challenges.

Under the original challenge, Vasquez would have had to prove only that two of the contested signatures were valid to stay on the Sept. 9 primary ballot, Redlich said. But he said he's not sure if Vasquez could come up with the roughly 60 validations he would need if Buhrmaster's amended challenge stands.

"(Buhrmaster's) a classic insider politician," Redlich said. "He doesn't want (the public) to have a choice."

 

[Wiseburn]

Hearing postponed to Wednesday.

http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/8162

21st Congressional candidate Republican Jim Buhrmaster’s legal challenge of opponent Steven Vasquez’s petitions was adjourned in state Supreme Court in Albany until Wednesday morning.

The two sides met with Justice Roger McDonough in chambers this morning and agreed to the adjournment.

Redlich said after reviewing the original petition, he’s confident that Vasquez can’t be knocked off the Sept. 9 primary ballot. He said 106 signatures are likely valid, which is about 40 more than Vasquez needs to stay in the race.

 

[Imperial]

Here's to hoping!

I count this as one of our better chances!

 

[Wiseburn]

Vasquez wins suit.

I just heard from Vasquez's attorney that they won their case today. Pending a successful appeal by Burhmaster, Steven Vasquez will be on the ballot for the September primary.

I also saw a Vasquez yard sign yesterday morning on my way back to the left coast.

Bush carried this district in 2000 and Pataki in 2004. It leans Democratic but will support the right candidate. This ballot challenge should really hurt the insider candidate as he has strongly come out against letting the voters have a choice.

Please give deeply in this race and volunteer with the campaign.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[SaratogaForRonPaul]

Thanks Steve, it was a long grueling day but the voters of the 21st District came out on top today. Here is the press release:

Press Release

Vasquez Beats Buhrmaster

Albany – 7-30-2008

Congressional Candidate Steven Vasquez (R-21) defeated James Buhrmaster today in Court. Buhrmaster had sued to knock Vasquez off the ballot. The result of this win is that both candidates will face off in a September primary.

Vasquez thanked his volunteers for their effort: "We went up against one of the best election lawyers in New York. Our campaign volunteers did such a good job in the petition process that it wasn't even close."

The two sides appeared in Albany County Supreme Court Wednesday morning for a hearing. Three Vasquez volunteers testified first about signatures they had gathered. Buhrmaster's attorney, Tom Marcelle, then proceeded to go through the Buhrmaster objections one by one through a witness. Over the course of this Marcelle occasionally withdrew objections. At roughly 6:15 pm, with a long way to go, there were 55 withdrawals. Vasquez needed to win 62 of the 452 objections.

Marcelle then asked Judge Roger McDonough to rule on a group of 9 outstanding objections where the signature had listed both the names of a hamlet and a town (e.g. Glenmont Bethlehem … or Loudonville Colonie). The Judge ruled in favor of Vasquez on those objections, bringing the total to 64 – enough to keep Vasquez on the ballot. At that point the Buhrmaster team conceded defeat, and waived appeal.

Albany Attorney Warren Redlich, who is also Vasquez' campaign spokesman, represented Vasquez pro bono. Redlich criticized Buhrmaster for bringing the suit. "He's supposed to be a Republican. But he filed a frivolous lawsuit, wasting both taxpayer money and his own campaign money, all in an effort to keep Republican voters from having a choice. Buhrmaster owes the voters an apology."

 

[zadrock]

Congrats, Steve! Now that you're officially on the ballot, we need to get you some money. Let's go people! I'll start...

Please print this receipt for your records.
==========================================================
Contribution Information
==========================================================
Amount: $ 100.00
Date: July 30th, 2008 8:04 PM
Transaction #: 25M98260XL2148132

Z