Moreau drops out of race

NEW SCOTLAND — Three months before the fall elections, the Republican ticket is changing shape, with its former candidate for supervisor, Karen Moreau, bowing out and her brother-in-law, Tim Stanton, considering a primary to get the party’s line in the crowded race for town board.

Moreau, a lawyer, withdrew her name because she had been offered a new job, said the chair of the New Scotland Republican Committee, Joseph DeFronzo.  He has submitted his resignation, effective today.

“I’m thrilled for Karen,” said Roz Robinson, who is forcing a primary to get the Republican line for a seat on the town board.  She and Moreau had planned to campaign together as they share similar views on the major issue of zoning in town.  For over a year, after a retail center was proposed at the intersection of routes 85 and 85A, the town has struggled to revamp its zoning.

The party has endorsed incumbent Doug LaGrange and planning board member Chuck Voss for the two seats up for election this November.  LaGrange is also endorsed by the Democrats, who have a full slate.

Stanton has submitted his petition to run for town board to the Albany County Board of Elections, according to John Graziano, the Republican Commissioner.  Neither Stanton nor Moreau could be reached for comment yesterday.

When asked if she might run for supervisor, Robinson answered, “No.  I wouldn’t even consider it.”  She has a full-time law practice that she wouldn’t want to give up in order to run for the two-year post, she said.  Both she and LaGrange, vice-chair of the Republican committee, cited the length of the term and the contentious nature of this year’s election as obstacles to finding candidates.