Broome Dems Say Conventions Don't Sway Local Elections

8/29/2012 (Updated 11:24:51 PM)

No big party conventions or storms around here Wednesday night-- but local Democrats were hosting an ice cream social at Glendale Park in West Endicott:
 
Tarik Abdelizim who is running for broome county executive, against Republican Debbie Preston was meeting and greeting supporters, along with Eileen Konecny, who is seeking a  Broome County legislative seat.

The ice cream was free, as part of an enticement to meet the local candidates.

We asked if the national party conventions--like what the GOP is holding in Tampa this week, shapes voters perceptions of what local candidates represent:

Konecny said: "In the people that I've been talking to, no. nobody's really speaking about the presidential campaigns right now. but it's early yet."

Abdelizim said,  "I don't think the conventions themselves are going to have much bearing on the local elections. People's main concerns [are]  here: jobs, taxes, services, flood recovery, and the prospect of fracking and what the impacts are going to be on our community. that's what people are concerned about."
 
Abdelazim's opponent, incumbent county executive Debbie Preston says her administration has shown an acute awareness of the economic challenges facing the southern tier.