BREAKING: GOP’s Sayward endorses Dem Owens in NY21

Veteran Republican Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward from Willsboro is endorsing Democratic Rep. Bill Owens in his bid for another term in congress.

In an interview with North Country Public Radio, Sayward — who is not seeking another term –said that Owens “has been doing a great job.”

” I’ve known Bill for many, many years  He’s a businessman.  He works in a nonpartisan way in congress.  I’ve watched his votes.  He’s voted several times in concert with Republicans on issues that are important to us.  When I call his office with an issue…he is so responsive, particularly on veterans issues.  He’s been wonderful and, yes, I do support him.”

Owens’ Republican opponent, Matt Doheny from Watertown, has received overwhelming support from GOP leaders in the district — including an endorsement from Peru’s moderate Assemblywoman Janet Duprey.

(Owens has won backing from some notable Republicans, including Moriah town supervisor Tom Scozzafava, and former Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava.)

Sayward, who has tangled before with conservatives over key issues, including same-sex marriage, said it was uncomfortable to endorse across party lines.

“It’s not an easy position, obviously because over the years the Republican committees have supported me and carried my petitions.  But as an individual and someone who is retiring and will take on a different role, and it won’t be such a public role, I have an opportunity as an American to vote and support whoever I think is best for the job.  I think that’s Bill Owens.”

It’s unclear how significant endorsements of this kind will be in the NY21 race, but Sayward’s backing is clearly a boost to Owens’ effort to appeal to centrist Republicans and GOP women.

CLARIFICATION:  Chris Morris, reporter with the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, points out that he reported in March that Sayward planned to support Owens.  “I would support both of them,” she said, referring to Democrat Owens and to Republican Chris Gibson.  I was unaware of Chris’s article, which you can read here.

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14 Comments on “BREAKING: GOP’s Sayward endorses Dem Owens in NY21”

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  1. Newt says:

    Tom Scozzafava’s endorsement also a major boon for Owens. Tom walks on water in the Town of Moriah, and is well-known and respected throughout the county. Lots of Republicans there, but they will note this endorsement.

  2. Mervel says:

    Like previously discussed, what is the point of being a New York Republican, these guys are all the same.

  3. It's Still All Bush's Fault says:

    Since she’s retiring, it’s easier for her to do the right thing.

    I wish more would have the courage to do the same thing and retire.

  4. Paul says:

    It should not be “uncomfortable” to endorse across party lines. If he is the best person for the job who cares?

  5. Mervel says:

    I can see why Andrew Cuomo has no problem with NYS Republicans being in charge.

  6. Mervel says:

    Maybe she can get a job in the Coumo administration like Dede did.

  7. Peter Hahn says:

    Someday there will be room for moderate republicans again. Until that day comes, moderates of all stripes have only moderate democrats to vote for.

  8. I didn’t realize this was “breaking.” I thought this happened months ago. In fact, I even wrote a letter to the editor earlier this summer criticizing some GOP flack for denouncing Sayward for not showing mindless, blind party loyalty.

  9. tootightmike says:

    It’s the only reasonable decision she could make. Doheny has nothing to say except “I’m a Republican” . Thinking women will vote for Democrats at all levels of government in this next election because womens rights matter. Mitt and his entire party have made a grave error…thinking we’d all like to return to the fifties.

  10. mervel says:

    There are no big principles at stake here, come on this is about her post political retirement job, the same way that Dede scored her well paid job now.

    It’s what NY politics are all about.

  11. Nice try, Mervel. But people only cross parties for endorsements for job reasons if they’re backing someone who everyone’s sure will win (like Cuomo). You don’t do it in a 50-50 race. She did it because the modern GOP’s neo-Taliban policies treats moderate Republicans are pieces of dung.

    Besides, she’s collecting a double pension from the state thanks to our wonderful laws so she doesn’t need to work.

  12. Mervel says:

    I have nothing against her at all and it is very normal in NYS for people to move into the second career in government after their elected duties are done. I do think these forces are at work however.

    But Doheny is not some sort of Taliban, he is a pretty regular Republican, but then again so is Owens. So the question is what does this say about Owens or Coumo, that all of these Democrats and Republicans in NYS don’t care?

  13. tootightmike says:

    Granted that Owens isn’t the most exciting democrat, and granted that he’s signed on to a few things that I don’t care for at all. But the same could be said for Cuomo’s tepid support for fracking, or Obama’s support for Robamneycare. We …or at least I, can’t always get what I want. It’s gauranteed though, that I’ll get plenty that I don’t want from the likes of Doo-Hickey.

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