On June 26, New York state Republicans will hold primary elections for United States congressional and senatorial candidates. Voters do not seem to recognize that this is the election where one’s vote counts the most. In this election, we decide who will be representing our party in November.

It is important to know the candidates and their platforms. They have already been telling us; we need to listen. Of course, we take all political speech with many grains of salt, but as we watch the news and listen to the people who know, we get a feel for the candidate’s character and emphases.

Being a voter is a duty, a right and a privilege. We need to be educated and responsible in our voting. And we need to vote! A new Jefferson County voter can register up to 25 days before an election by using the registration information found in every post office. It’s too late for the primary, but there’s still time to register for the important national election in November.

In the 21st District, which includes Jefferson County, we will be deciding if we want Kellie Greene or Matt Doheny to run against incumbent Bill Owens for Congress in November. Studying these two candidates is best done in person. We can corner these candidates at public events they attend and get their “take” on the economy, the health care situation, the social questions and more.

It is expected that there will be a debate between Kellie and Matt sometime before June 26. Hopefully, there will be TV and radio coverage, but it would be worth our while to attend such a debate in person. There have been phrases such as “character counts” and “money talks” bandied about. Be present to hear and see for yourself. As we may be aware, the media sometimes is biased. If we are present, we will at least counter that bias in order to register our own reactions. By the way, voters from any party are welcome at such a debate; November is coming!

Ms. Greene will also be appearing on Jeff Graham’s noontime talk show on June 21.

U.S. senatorial Republican candidates are Wendy Long, Bob Turner, and George Maragos. Wendy Long characterizes herself as “a Reagan conservative.” One of these three will run against incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand, whose major qualification seems to be that she agrees with whatever our other liberal New York senator says and does.

Jefferson County Republicans, there are 25,988 of us registered in this county. Let’s see how many voters we can get to the polls on June 26!

Lee Marshall

Redwood

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