Varysburg, N.Y. (WBEN) - First up, Senator Rob Ortt. A marathon meeting of the NY27 minds at Byrncliff Resort in rural Wyoming County Saturday as five candidates file before the eight county Republican party chairs who will ultimataley select a candidate to run in a special election and face Democrat Nathan McMurray in the expansion Congressional district.
As the party chairs settled into a room where no media is allowed, Senator Rob Ortt was the first candidate to file in for his session. Each candidate had approximately an hour before the chairs. Senator Chris Jacobs, Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw, Beth Parlato and newcomer Jeffrey Freeland, a special assistant to President Trump and a Lewiston native were all interviewed as well.
"Looking forward to the process, hopefully we'll wrap this up soon", Ontario County GOP Chair Trisha Turner told WBEN as she scurried into the meeting room.
Although a special election for the vacant Congressional seat has yet to be set, Governor Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly indicated he would select April 28th as the election, the same day as the Democratic Presidential primary in New York State.
Among the key points of discussion with the candidates will be what their intentions are if they are not selected. Will they run in a June Republicn primary race?
The winner of a special election will fill the seat vacated by Chris Collins until the end of 2020.