Write-In Candidate Emerges

For Oneonta First Ward Seat

Allied With Emerging Young Democrat Group,

Luke Murphy Says Incumbent Is Moving Away

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – Luke Murphy, an education coordinator at Hanford Mills Museum in East Merideth who lives on Main Street, Oneonta, confirmed a few minutes ago he is running a write-in campaign for the First Ward seat on Common Council.

Murphy said he decided to run on learning that the incumbent, Michele Frazier, a realtor, is planning to move to Delhi.  Even though her name will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, she will be unable to serve, he said.  Reached by phone earlier in the day, Frazier did not share those plans; a follow-up call was not returned this evening.

The candidate said winning the seat will require people to write his name on the ballot, and he is going door to door with sample ballots and instructions for prospective voters.  As required, he said, he has also registered his candidacy with the county Board of Elections.

If Frazier wins regardless and can’t fill the seat due to residency, then Mayor Gary Herzig can make an appointment to fill the vacancy.

Murphy acknowledged he is part of an alliance of local young Democrats that includes Clark Oliver, who is running unopposed for the county Board of Representatives in District 11 (Wards 1 and 2); MacGuire Benton, the Cooperstown village trustee and Democratic assistant elections commissioner, and Caitlin Ogden, who is competing with Republican Rick Brockway for the county board in District 3 (Otego and Laurens).

Murphy said he and Oliver, whose districts overlap, have been campaigning door-to-door together in the East End neighborhood.

While members of the group are friends, Murphy said they are not “strategizing” together on programs.