Breaking: Democrat Randy Douglas won’t run for Assembly

Democrat Randy Douglas from the town of Jay says he won’t be running in this year’s high-profile Assembly race.  Douglas, who heads the Essex County board of supervisors, was seen as the Democrats’ biggest hope to claim the seat being vacated by Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward.

Speaking today with North Country Public Radio, Douglas said he had decided to stick with his work as Jay town supervisor as the community recovers from last year’s devastating floods.  Douglas also said that he wanted to stay close to home while his son finishes high school.

This development — a major blow to Democratic hopes — comes as four Republicans vie for their party’s nomination.

Queensbury town supervisor Dan Stec, Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman, former Glens Falls Mayor Robert Regan and Thurman town supervisor Evelyn Wood have all joined the race.

Douglas said he’s not aware of any other Democrats who are sure to run, but he said he hoped that others would “come out of the woodwork.”

Here’s his full statement released today:

Randall T. Douglas, Town of Jay Supervisor and Essex County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors has decided not to run for the Assembly District seat, currently held by Teresa Sayward of Willsboro.

“This decision has not been easy,” said Douglas. Douglas’ family has served the people of Jay and Essex County for more than two decades. His father, Thomas A. Douglas, was Jay supervisor from 1972 to 1980 and from 1998 to 2000. Randy’s grandfather, Arthur J. Douglas, held the same position from 1966 to 1972. The three men have also served as chairman and vice chairman of the Essex County Democratic Committee for a combined 30 years. Randy, was the first of the three strong Douglas democratic leaders to hold the seat of Essex County Chairman of the Board of Supervisor’s.

“As a child, I grew up watching my grandfather and father put their heart and soul into the Town of Jay and Essex County. I not only saw the passion behind every decision they made on behalf of taxpayers, but the turmoil that surrounded each decision. I watched each die in the office they served, because they were committed until the bitter end,” said Randy Douglas.

“Our Town and County have been through unforeseen circumstances over this past year after Tropical Storm Irene turned our infrastructure, homes and residents lives upside down. Our town and county is still in recovery mode from the damages we incurred and ultimately my decision not to run is because I can not leave until I know the town and county are stable and prospering as we once were,” said Douglas. I realize that running for assembly if I was successful would allow me to help Essex County on a higher level, but at this point in time, I just couldn’t leave the job unfinished. “

Douglas is a family man and although his entire family supported the idea of an assembly run, the timing was just not right. “Our daughter Savannah is in college and our son Shane only has two more years of his high school career left. Although our schedules are hectic, my wife Peggy and I do our best to be at all of their extra curricular activities. Our commitment to family is very important to us. My wife Peggy and I talked about how this run would affect our family and it would have been a sacrifice, but ultimately timing is everything and I have things to do here in the Town of Jay and Essex County.”

The overwhelming support and well wishes from my Town and County residents and political representatives from all parties encouraging me to run was most appreciated

as I struggled with this decision. “I am truly sorry if I let anyone down,” Douglas said. Douglas said his concentration will be to continue to work to leverage any funding available from the State and Federal government to assist our people in need as we recover from the devastating affects of Hurricane Irene.

Tags: election12, politics