Aydelott Ask Hall To Withdraw Challenge of Petitions

Judy Aydelott, one of five Democrats vying for Republican Rep. Sue Kelly's seat in Congress this fall is, is calling on John Hall to withdraw his challenge of her petitions.

Hall, who won the Democratic Party endorsement in three of the five counties that make up New York's 19th District, is challenging the petitions of Aydelott and others in the campaign, including Darren Rigger who criticized Hall yesterday for challenging the documents turned in by the Rigger campaign.

Aydelott sent the following letter to Hall today.

July 14, 2006

John Hall

420 Main St.

Beacon, NY 12508

Dear John:

It has come to my attention that you have filed the necessary paperwork to challenge the petitions my campaign recently filed with the New York State Board of Elections. I proudly submitted over 3,500 signatures from registered Democrats in all five counties that encompass the 19th Congressional District. As you are aware, there is no basis for your challenge. Only 1,250 signatures are required by law, and I have demonstrated support from nearly three times as many democrats as required. By challenging these signatures you not only attempt to thwart my candidacy but also seek to silence the voice of my supporters. That is wrong.

It has been over ten years since Sue Kelly was first elected to Congress. In that time, she has consistently cast votes that favor her party leadership, her President, and against the interests of the residents of the Hudson Valley. Whether it's failing to provide our seniors access to affordable prescription drugs, doing nothing to stop the rising cost of gas, failing to challenge the President over his policy in Iraq or even restricting the right to choose, Sue Kelly can be counted on to put the needs of the special interests ahead of the needs of her constituents. For many years Democrats have tried and failed to unseat Sue Kelly. But 2006 is not an ordinary year. This year we can do it.

In the interest of all Democrats in the 19th district, I ask you to withdraw your challenge of my petitions and pledge not to challenge the petitions of any other Democrats who file to run against Sue Kelly. We must turn our attention not to political theater, but to the issues that matter to the residents of the Hudson Valley and work to change the direction our country is headed.

This show of good faith would go a long way toward resolving the ill will generated by the actions you have taken at the expense of the democratic process. Further challenges of other candidates' petitions may serve your bottom line, but it does not serve the residents of the Hudson Valley.

We must let the voters decide on September 12'th.

Sincerely,

Judy Aydelott