But the job will be complicated by Richard Cahill Jr. The former alderman and unsuccessful mayoral candidate in 2007 finished third in the Republican primary with 119 votes, but remains in contention in the general election, running on the Conservative Party line. Polacco and Cahill share a core group of supporters: voters in the Sixth Ward where Cahill preceded Polacco on the Common Council. During the primary campaign Cahill proclaimed that Republicans could not hope to win without a combined GOP-Conservative Party ticket.
A promise is a promise
Following Polacco’s victory, Cahill acknowledged that two Republicans in the race could make for an uphill battle in a city where the party is already outnumbered more than two to one by Democrats. But, he said, he had promised Conservative Party leaders that he would campaign actively on the ballot line regardless of the outcome of the primary, and would continue to do so unless they asked him to step aside.
Rich Cahill Jr. (Photo by Dan Barton)
Kingston Republican Committee Chairman Tony Sinagra, stinging from the defeat of a candidate whom he has actively endorsed, accused Cahill, Polacco and fourth-place contender Jean Jacobs of working together to undermine Turco-Levin’s prospects and the party’s best chance in two decades to retake the mayor’s office.
“If Rich comes out campaigning and pushing hard to get elected, Gallo might as well start making up his letterhead for mayor,” said Sinagra. “Because it’s over.”
The defeat of party anointed candidates on both sides could also signal the political demise of Republican and Democratic leaders. Sinagra said that he was considering stepping down out of frustration with the infighting. Insiders say Cardinale may also face calls to step down or a challenge from within the party after the general election. But Gallo said that the upset victories illustrated what happens when party leaders lose touch with the rank-and-file.
“My whole campaign was about reconnecting with the rank and file and re-energizing the party,” said Gallo. “It has to be a party and not a group of cronies.”
