Watkins will hold a rare village primary election

WATKINS GLEN—Watkins Glen will host a primary election for mayor, Jan. 25, in the Community Center from noon to 9 p.m.
Clerk Donna Beardsley said the last day to file a party petition was Monday, Jan. 10,  and two Republican candidates filed for mayor.  Richard Scuteri and Mark Swinnerton are both  running.  Republican voters will decide in the primary election who will appear on the general election ballot.
However, Beardsley said it is rare for Watkins to have a primary election.  She added she doesn’t know when the last one was held.  Beardsley explained around 15 years ago the village ballots changed to list candidates with a party.  She said before that all candidates were listed as independant.
The general election for village positions will be March 15.  Beardsley said two board seats and the justice will also be on the ballot for Watkins.  As of the party petition deadline she said David Wyre Sr. filed to run as a trustee and Justice Nicholas Dugo filed for reelection of his position.  Both will be listed as Republicans on the March general election ballot.
Beardsley said Jan. 27 is the last day for a party nomination, which follows a caucus.  Current Mayor Judy Phillips said she is waiting for the Democrat Caucus Jan. 22 to see if she is nominated to run for the Democrat Party.   Phillips said, “I’m interested in running.”
The final election deadline is Feb. 8.  Beardsley said independent candidates must file before this date.
Swinnerton announced his candidacy for Watkins mayor with Scott Gibson and Kevin Smith running for trustee positions.  Gibson and Smith are seeking seats currently held by William Smagner and Nick Kelly, who is not seeking reelection.  Beardsley said Gibson and Smith had not filed Republican petitions by the deadline.  However, there are still the other two deadlines.