NEW SCOTLAND — The town Republican Party, which put up no candidates in the last election cycle, announced last week a recovered slate of candidates seeking office this November at both the town and the county levels. But the party has no candidate for town supervisor.

If Democratic candidate and town Councilman Douglas LaGrange is elected, his board seat will open in January, at which time the town board can appoint a councilmember to fill it.

In 2013, the Republican Party declined to put forward a single candidate, and Democrats swept the town. In 2011, Republicans ran for the town board and for clerk, but lost.

The party was in upheaval after a citizens’ uprising against plans for a big-box mall in the center of town. After two election cycles, the board had the votes to pass zoning limiting the size of a commercial building.

“For the sake of running someone, I’d rather spend the time letting people know who we are and then, in two years, run strong,” said longtime Republican Committee member Glenn Schultz in 2013.

“The incumbents have done a good job and people are satisfied with them,” said retiring New Scotland Supervisor Thomas Dolin previously.

Earlier this year, registered independent Councilman Douglas LaGrange sought and received the Democratic nod to run for supervisor.

About his nomination, LaGrange said previously, “It’s always humbling that people would think enough of me to do this. It’s reassuring to know that the job I’m helping to do is in the right direction.

“I hate to say the issues remain the same, but, in a sense, they do,” LaGrange continued. He said that residents expect highway services, senior programs, and taxes “in check.”

LaGrange entered town politics as a Republican on the planning board before leaving the party.

Recent numbers in New Scotland show that 37 percent of voters are enrolled Democrats, 25 percent are Republicans, 27 percent are unaffiliated. The rest belong to other parties.

If elected to supervisor, LaGrange’s current council seat would open in January and “be filled in a special election next year,” said Matthew Clyne, the Albany County Board of Elections Democratic commissioner. “The board can appoint someone to fill it.” 

The person appointed in January could then run as an incumbent in a special election in November, after 11 months in office.

“It has to appear on the ballot in November,” Clyne said of LaGrange’s potentially empty council seat.

LaGrange and his wife, Anita, have two grown children nearby; Kristy and her husband; and Amy, her husband, and her son, Cameron, 4, and his infant sister, Reagan.