Swinnerton will face Phillips for Watkins mayor

WATKINS GLEN—Mark Swinnerton was chosen by voters to be the Republican candidate for Watkins Glen mayor in a primary election, Tuesday, Jan. 25.
Village Clerk Donna Beardsley said Swinnerton won 94 votes, beating Richard Scuteri who had 42 votes.  She added there was one other vote for Robert Lee, totaling 137 Republicans who voted.
Swinnerton will vie for the mayoral seat against current Mayor Judith Phillips.  Phillips was selected to be the Democratic candidate at a village caucus.  The deadline for Democrats to file was Thursday, Jan. 27.
The general election is Tuesday, March 15.  There will also be two village board seats and the justice on the ballot for Watkins Glen.  David Wyre Sr. (Republican) and Bill Smagner (Democrat) are running for trustee seats.  Swinnerton announced his candidacy for Watkins mayor with Scott Gibson and Kevin Smith also running for trustee positions.  Justice Nicholas Dugo filed for reelection of his position as Republican.
There is one last deadline for candidates to announce they are running.  Independent candidates must file petitions to run by Feb. 8.