GOP Challenging Signature

Of Voter With Cerebral Palsy

Democratic Chair Asks Rick Hulse To Withdraw Lawsuit

By JIM KEVLIN • for allotsego.com

COOPERSTOWN – Since he has Cerebral Palsy, Patrick Dewey is unable to sign his name: Instead, he uses a rubber stamp with his “mark” above it.

That’s not good enough for the county Republican Committee, according to Democratic Committee chair Richard Abbate of Cooperstown.

In a lawsuit challenging the petitions of Democratic candidate Andrew Marietta, who is running against Republican county Rep. Rick Hulse for the Cooperstown-Town of Otsego seat, the GOP is seeking to knock off Patrick’s signature.

“Rick knows him (Patrick) personally," said Abbate, and he called for Hulse to withdraw the challenge to Marietta’s petitions.  Hulse didn’t immediately return a call, but his response will be added to this post when received.

Dewey received a standing ovation at CCS’ commencement Sunday, June 28, when he graduated with honors.  He plans to attend Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and pursue a career in radio.

“It’s things like this that gives the political process a bad reputation and makes people not want to get involved,” said Abbate.

“He’s only half right,” responded GOP county chair Vince Casale, also of Cooperstown.  “He’s half right, because people are upset with politicians who skirt the law … There are thousands of candidates across the state that had to follow the same set of rules, and nobody is exempt from that.”