WESTERLO—After losing as a Republican in a race for town board two years ago, Councilman R. Gregory Zeh Jr. may run on the Democratic ticket this year, or on the Republican ticket, or both.

Though neither party has held its caucus, the chairmen of the Westerlo Democratic and Republican committees both told The Enterprise their parties are planning on sponsoring Zeh in November.
"Excellent, I guess everybody thinks I’m doing a good job," Zeh said after The Enterprise told him of the situation. He said he has been approached by the Democrats to run but not by the Republicans. He would welcome a nomination by either party, he said.
"I’m interested in the job. I’m not interested in the partisan politics," Zeh said. "I just want to do what’s best for the residents of the town."
Zeh works as an accounting system manager for the Gollub corporation. He was unanimously appointed to the town board earlier this year after the death of Councilman Clifton "Sonny" Richardson. Richardson was the first Republican on the town board in over 70 years. His four-year term would have been up at the end of the year.

Zeh was enrolled as a Republican at the time of his appointment.

Voters enrolled in the Democratic Party outnumber Republicans 4 to 1 in Westerlo.
Zeh said he has "absolutely enjoyed" his time in office so far.
"Whoever wants to support me, that’s fine," he said.

Charles Faul, the Republican chairman, said his party hasn’t decided on candidates for the other two open positions—council member and judge—but is looking forward to running an incumbent.
"We haven’t had one before," Faul said. "Greg’s done a great job."

According to Richard Rapp, chairman of the Westerlo Democratic Committee and town supervisor, the Democrats hope to nominate incumbents for each available position.

In addition to Zeh, Councilman Edward Rash will seek a third term on the town board. Rash is the director of advertising and public relations at Hannay Hose Reels, in Westerlo.

Alan Bauder will be running for town justice. He has held the position for nearly 20 years.

The Democrats will not be choosing any specific issues on which to campaign as a group, Rapp said.
"None that I can think of," he said.