Lutfy wins write in for 'no-man's land'

'Unprecedented’ one-party board could result- parties disown candidate, By David Hulse MILFORD — As a result of a final canvass of Tuesday’s primary vote, Pamela Lutfy, who finished third on the Republican ballot for county commissioner, will appear on the Democratic line in November. Pike County Elections Office Director Gary Orben said Friday that Lutfy received 223 write-in votes in the Democratic Primary, which entitles her to a printed Democratic Party line. Only 100 write-in votes, the same number as on pre-election nominating petitions, were required. The apparent outcome then awaited final certification, which Orben said was to take place this week. Prior to the write-in nominations, incumbent Democratic Commissioner Karl Wagner had been running unopposed. Lutfy’s win creates a situation which, in Orben’s recollection, is unprecedented in Pike County - a board of commissioners, all registered in the same political party. “I’ve heard of it in one or two other counties, but not in Pike County,” he said. The fall ballot is designed to avoid a one-party board, with the leading vote-getter from the minority ticket always retaining one of three seats. Wagner comments After the election Wagner said her nomination, “puts her no-man’s land, but it’s still a Republican on a Democratic ballot... It’s going to be misleading, because she’ll still be a Republican, but the ballot will list her as a Democrat.” Wagner remained confident about his race. “The Democratic Party is going to support me. They always do. I’ll get more Democrats than ever and I’ll do alright with Republicans and Independents. We’ll see what happens. I’m gearing up,” he said. Other Democrats Elizabeth Forrest, Pike state Democratic committeewoman, wrote of the outcome (Courier 5/13 http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2011/05/12/pike_county_courier/opinion/9.txt ) in rebutting the original idea proposed by Sean Strub (Courier 5/6 http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2011/05/07/pike_county_courier/opinion/6.txt ) in his earlier letter. Forrest predicted the result would “be an extraordinarily bad outcome for Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike,” since the commissioners also serve as the bi-partisan county board of elections. Criticizing the past Republican majority’s handling of elections she wrote, “One can only imagine what could happen were there no minority party oversight at all.” Following the election, Forrest said the Democrats would support only Wagner and that Lutfy’s Democratic win would create internal problems among Pike Republicans. Wagner and Forrest both questioned Lutfy’s part in the write-in effort, noting “robo-calls” made to Democrats which she said identified themselves as “being paid for by Pam Lutfy.” Forrest also guaranteed there would be no open slot in the Democratic commissioner’s line the next time out, “I promise you...” Forrest also referred to Lutfy’s situation as “no-man’s land,” saying a Republican endorsement now - “they might just do it to be mischievous” - would only alienate Democrats and Independents. Commenting after the election, Strub wrote, “I think it is good for local government to have elections contested. Had Pam not won the write-in nomination on the Democratic line, we would have three candidates running for three seats. The voters would have had no choice to make in the general election and there would have been very little debate and discussion of the issues. This way there is a choice, with four candidates running for three seats, and there will be debate and discussion of the issues. Pam’s willingness to challenge Pike County’s Republican machine politics demonstrates a rare independence we need in the courthouse.” Republican response The county Republican Web site made no mention of Lutfy in its post-election coverage. Republican County Chairman Chris Decker commented Wednesday, “The Republican voters of Pike County chose two candidates during the Republican Primary on May 17th to be their nominees in the General Election and the Republican Party of Pike County supports those nominees, Richard Caridi and Matthew Osterberg, 100 percent.” Decker was confident of victory for Rich Caridi and Matt Osterberg, adding “I would be much more concerned if I were a member of the Democrat Committee,” in that the choice of Republican by Democrats, “says a lot about the fantastic job our Republican elected officials have been doing.” That said, he reiterated, “The Pike County Republican Party is united behind our nominees and ready for a very successful General Election in 2011.” Lutfy on the election While she said she had been unaware of Strub’s proposal before it was published, Lutfy said on May 19 that she was pleased with the write-in outcome. Lutfy, who was not supported in the primary by the county Republican Committee, said she didn’t know whether she would receive any formal support from either party for the fall campaign. In a formal post-election statement Wednesday, she wrote, “Although my focus was on winning the Republican primary, I am honored and humbled to have received the confidence of over 200 Democratic voters who wrote in my name... I assure all my fellow residents that no matter where my name is listed as a candidate, I am still the same person. I ran for Commissioner to provide fresh, independent leadership for Pike County, and that remains my goal today.”

One can only imagine what could happen were there no minority party oversight at all.” Elizabeth Forrest, Pike state Democratic committeewoman

The Pike County Republican Party is united behind our nominees and ready for a very successful General Election in 2011.” Republican County Chairman Chris Decker