Walsh secures spot on Nov. ballot
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

BATH - Steuben County Legislator John Walsh, RWheeler, guaranteed himself at least one spot on the November ballot with his petition for an independent party slot.

Walsh is also slated for a Republican Primary runoff Sept. 18 against Howard Town Supervisor Don Evia.

The pair is running for legislative District 7, which includes the towns of Avoca, Fremont, Howard and Wheeler.

Walsh's move came after local Conservative Party Chairman Don Gwinner authorized Evia as the District 7 candidate for the November general election.

Gwinner's action upset Conservative Legislator Thomas McIntyre, CCampbell, since Evia collected the minimum signatures required and Walsh submitted more signatures than necessary.

Walsh's petition included support from former Conservative Party Chairman Wayne King.

"I am extremely upset," McIntyre said. "I haven't got a clue why (Gwinner) didn't authorize them both. I thought he was supposed to be fairminded."

Gwinner's action prevented a Conservative Primary from taking place Sept. 18.

"You'd think he'd want to give the voters a chance to decide for themselves, wouldn't you?" Walsh said. "Well, apparently not."

State Conservative Party Executive Director Shaun Marie Levine said local party chairs have the right to refuse to authorize individuals if they believe candidates do not meet Conservative principles.

Levine said McIntyre and Walsh could have filed an opportunity to ballot by collecting the remaining Conservative signatures in

District 7.

"But yes, in general, we believe in allowing voters to choose," Levine said. "I don't know what the circumsances were here."

Republican leaders this year refused to allow the party to endorse a candidate before the p rimary.

Gwinner did not return repeated calls from The Leader.

The moves by both Evia and Walsh point to what is likely to become the most heated legislative race this year.

Walsh and others believe Gwinner's endorsement of Evia was at the request of Republican Party Chairman William Hatch, a political foe of Walsh. Walsh defeated Hach for the Legislature

in 2003.

"Well, yeah, I know Bill was behind this," Walsh said. "It's no secret e doesn't partic larly like me."

Hatch said he met with Gwinner and Evia in the county Board of Elections to receive the Conservative authorization for town ballots.

"As for Don (Gwinner ), he's his own man." Hatch said. "I understand he has been good friends with Don Evia for years. So maybe that's why he authorized him."