RENSSELAERVILLE — Rensselaerville’s Republican Party endorsed two Democratic candidates and left two town council slots empty at its June 26 caucus.

Donna Kropp, chairwoman of the town’s Republican Party, said this week that current supervisor John Dolce, a Democrat, is backed by the GOP as is current town justice Gregory Bischoff. Both are also running on the Democratic line, and Dolce has the backing of the Albany County Independence Party as well.

Both men were appointed to their positions after the sudden departure of their predecessors. Dolce, a councilman and deputy supervisor at the time, was appointed the town supervisor after Steven Pfleging resigned from office. Pfleging was charged with stealing town funds last year. Bischoff, who had served as town justice from 2012 to 2016, was appointed to the position again after Justice Ronald Bates died.

Kropp said that the Republicans backed Bischoff because of his prior experience. She said that Dolce’s track record in his brief time as supervisor led to his endorsement. 

“He stepped up to the position at an awkward time,” said Kropp.

Two positions for town council were left empty because, Kropp said, no one was interested in the posts. Brian Wood, who had been appointed to the town board the same time Dolce became supervisor, and newcomer Anthony Guadagno are running on the Democratic line for town council. They will face no opposition.

Kropp said that the Republican Party has been trying to figure out new ways to generate interest in local politics, but she said that lack of interest is a widespread problem and affecting both parties.

“There doesn’t seem to be any interest in the general population … ,” she said. “People don’t volunteer in organizations anymore … it’s the current climate.”

Two years ago, during the last supervisor’s race, Pfleging was the only candidate actively running for the position. Republicans had nominated David Bowdish and put his name on the ballot, but Bowdish was initially unaware of the nomination and said he would not serve if elected.

Of the approximately 1,300 people registered to vote in Rensselaerville, a little less than half are Democrats. About a fifth are Republicans, and another fifth are not enrolled in any party. The rest are enrolled in small parties.

Despite the majority of Democratic voters, members from a variety of parties have been elected to the board in recent years. Currently, the town board has two Democrats, a Republican, a Conservative, and an Independence Party member.

Kropp is one of three elected town assessors but the town board recently voted to do away with those posts and will instead appoint a single assessor.

Richard Tollner, a Republican, and formerly the party’s chairman, was nominated for town assessor. 

Tollner told The Enterprise earlier that he will be asking the town board to consider him for the appointed position, although for now he will keep his name on the ballot despite it being null. His Democratic opponent for assessor, Hébert Joseph, said he is also seeking the appointed position.

However, Kropp has said that she recommends the appointed assessor be from outside of Rensselaerville. She is not seeking the appointed post.