CORRECTED VERSION: Daily Gazette Sunday Articles Identifying All Three Mayoral Candidates As Having “Baggage” Kicks Off an Intensified Campaign Season

Commentary by Saratoga-Report Founder and Publisher Dan De Federicis

With vacations, track season and a host of other fun distractions warm air and bright sunshine brings, voters haven’t paid too much attention this summer to local elections.  That all ended with a thud Sunday when the Daily Gazette, arguably the local daily that does the best job covering Saratoga Springs news, published a series of articles under the umbrella headline “Mayoral Candidates All Carry Baggage”.  While some of the information in these articles was old news, some of it was new and reporter Zachary Matson should be commended for his diligent effort and in-depth research.

While the articles were unflattering to all three candidates, Independent candidate Robin Dalton fared the worst with revelations of a bankruptcy filing earlier this year.  The bankruptcy news itself, while damaging, wasn’t necessarily fatal.  It seems clear, however, that her campaign’s handling (read fumbling) of the political strategizing on such a difficult campaign challenge will be nearly impossible to overcome for an already uphill independent campaign.

I personally know and like Robin and supported her 2019 run for Public Safety Commissioner (this was prior to the formation of Saratoga-Report).  I couldn’t help but wince when I read the article, and her denials of what was clearly a bankruptcy petition filed in her name, as well as indications that it was filed in her maiden name and did not include her married name despite requirements to disclose, made her look at best foolish and arguably worse.  Her lashing back at The Daily Gazette for printing this relevant information didn’t help.  Other candidates have recovered from worse, but again mounting an independent challenge is already difficult without taking punches to the face.  I think Robin Dalton is truly dedicated, but this just won’t be her year.

The “baggage” listed for Democrat candidate Ron Kim included fines levied on his law practice by the Worker’s Compensation Board, late tax penalties and a now-settled legal dispute with a landlord. Kim had answers for all of these that a reasonable person might decide are legitimate.  None of this of course is appreciated by the Kim campaign, but these weren’t bombshells and I don’t know how many Democratic/progressive votes he’s going to lose from this, especially with two months left in the campaign.

Heidi West’s “baggage” was old news but no doubt will continue to be a campaign issue.  Her initial participation in a court petition opposing the city’s planned new fire station on NYRA property on Henning Road will be of interest to residents of Saratoga’s eastern plateau.  The article notes that West dropped off the petition just before announcing her mayoral run.  Those residents have been waiting a long time for more-timely fire/EMS response and I can see the Kim campaign doing its best to exploit that issue with some targeted mailings.  With that being said, similar to what I said about Kim supporters sticking with him, I don’t think too many Republicans, if any, will jump ship from West on this issue.

My final thoughts on this is noting that the articles focused on Dalton and Kim included quotes from Chris Obstarczyk, chair of the Saratoga Springs Republican committee.  As one would expect, he strongly criticized both candidates opposing West.  However , there was nothing included in West’s article from Obstarczyk’s counterpart, Pat Tuz of the city’s Democratic Committee, who was not contacted by the Daily Gazette.

Put your seatbelts on folks, and get ready for a gross of campaign flyers at your door and in your mailbox now and early November.

NOTE: An earlier version of the story indicated the city Democratic chair’s position has been apparently vacant since Sarah Burger resigned, but that was incorrect as Pat Tuz has filled the role since Burger’s departure.