Out of the race
Slavick backs Conners



ALBANY COUNTY — What started out as a contentious county comptroller race, has ended politely.

Guilderland Councilwoman Patricia Slavick dropped out of the race against Comptroller Michael Conners on Tuesday, after losing the Democratic primary last Tuesday.

Conners, a three-term incumbent, bested Slavick at the polls, with 9,246 Democrats voting for the him over Slavick’s 7,603 votes, by unofficial counts from the Albany County Board of Elections.

Slavick cited a lack of resources with only small-party endorsements, and family reasons as for why she packed up the campaign. She had the Working Families line and, according to unofficial results, won the Independence Party line in last week’s primary.
"It is the appropriate course of action if you don’t have the major lines," said Slavick, an accountant who works for the state’s comptrollers office. "I want to take some time with my family"I did get a lot of help from people all over the county and I am really appreciative of that."
Slavick said that, now that she knows Albany Democrats are behind Conners, so is she. In the meantime, Slavick said she will be helping her fellow Democrats "on the local level" as the Nov. 6 election nears.

She also thanked all of the Democrats who voted for her and gave special thanks to her campaign managers and workers.

As for seeing Slavick signs in the future, the Guilderland councilwoman said not to rule out the possibility.
"If the opportunity presented itself for another office in the future, I would certainly have to consider it," she said. "I really value serving the town of Guilderland, though."
Conners said he "was overcome" by Slavick’s graciousness and support for his campaign.
"I’m disappointed that my opponent dropped out of the race"It was a heartfelt race and she did very well at the door-to-door," Conners said. "She is to be commended for stepping up to the plate like she did."

Conners said more people like Slavick need to come forward in elections so that the public has the ability to choose between good candidates.

Both Democrats said it is time for the party to move forward and work for the good of all Albany County residents. Conners faces no Republican opponent in the Nov. 6 election.