Clarkstown GOP Will Leave Supervisor And Clerk Ballot Lines Blank

The Clarkstown Republican Committee will not be running candidates for town supervisor or town clerk in the November election. Although one party member was approached and another Republican expressed interest in the supervisor slot, neither one’s name will be appearing on the party’s ballot.

Shibu Abraham, 46, of West Nyack, who ran unsuccessfully for a town council seat in 2011, said Committee Chairman Bob Axelrod contacted him Thursday about seeking the supervisor’s post left vacant when Ralph Riverso withdrew from the race on Monday, July 15. On Wednesday, Brian T. Moran, the expected supervisor candidate of the newly formed Clarkstown Preservation Society and a registered Republican, had reached out to Axelrod.

While Abraham said he explained to Axelrod there was not enough time to campaign or get on other party lines, Moran said he was told there was not enough time before the Friday, July 19th deadline for him to be properly vetted.

“There is no hope to run on one line,” said Abraham.

Moran, who ran for mayor of Nyack about 11 years ago on the Republican line, said at that time he had been interviewed by the party. Axelrod said the Committee on Vacancies’ four members including himself, Bob Zeiss, Committee Vice Chairman Patricia Ranieri and county Republican Chairman Vincent Reda had to interview and approve any replacement candidates and sign documents that need to be notarized. Axelrod said there was not enough time because Reda was on vacation and Zeiss was preparing for major surgery. 

“At this particular point there is no other option or choice,” said Axelrod on Friday. 

Moran, 40, of New City hopes to be on the Clarkstown Preservation Society line on the November ballot as its superintendent candidate. Organizers of the new party are currently gathering signatures. The Clarkstown Preservation Society also plans to run other candidates – Republican John Noto for town council and Democrat Dennis Malone for highway superintendent.

If he gets on the ballot, Moran, who owns two businesses in Nyack, would face incumbent Town Supervisor Alex Gromack who has the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Conservative party lines.

Last Monday, Riverso and town clerk hopeful Kathleen Sheridan declined to accept their candidacies. Riverso said it was for health concerns and Sheridan bowed out for personal reasons.