Gunther to run again

Tea Party member will challenge her

By FRITZ MAYER

BLOOMINGBURG, NY — In front of a large crowd of supporters, Democratic Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther announced on May 3 that she will seek a fourth full term in office. At a news conference at the Eagle’s Nest restaurant in Bloomingburg, she told the crowd that she is independent. She said, “I have remained independent in terms of the legislation that I support and for which I advocate. I have demonstrated my independence by not voting for last year’s budget or by not voting for any bill that I do not believe is in the best interests of you, the constituents of the 98th District.”

Her competition for the job so far comes from a 32-year-old Republican, John Carey, from Orange County who, according to information at the website www.meetup.com is also a member of the Orange/Sullivan NY 912 Tea Party. Carey, who has never run for political office before, pledged to take a 15 percent pay cut if he is elected to the assembly.

For her part, Gunther stressed that she works hard for her constituents. She said, “Unlike other legislators, I do not have another job. I work seven days a week for you, whether it’s working to resolve a one-on-one personal crisis with a senior citizen or advocating for workmen’s compensation or something as simple, but sometimes very difficult, as fighting with insurance companies to ensure that a person has access to a wheelchair to help bring more independence into their lives.”

She received support from Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano, who said, “We have a friend in Aileen Gunther. Her concerns are our concerns and we can all sleep well knowing that she is fighting hard for us up in Albany.”

Sullivan County Legislator David Sager, who recently announced he is switching to the Democratic Party, was also on hand to show support for Gunther’s candidacy.