There will not be a Republican primary in the 130th Assembly District, but one GOP candidate will attempt to run as an independent.Â
Clyde Mayor Jerry Fremouw, a Republican, did not submit petitions to force a primary in the 130th district race. The designated GOP candidate is Lyons Supervisor Brian Manktelow.Â
But Fremouw said in an interview that he will circulate petitions to run as an independent. He plans to create the For the People Party and campaign in what would be a three-way state Assembly race between himself, Manktelow and Democratic candidate Scott Comegys.Â
To run as an independent, Fremouw will need to collect 1,500 valid signatures from voters in the district. The period to pass independent petitions began July 10. The deadline to submit petitions to the state Board of Elections is Tuesday, Aug. 21.Â
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Fremouw explained that he felt he was "on the outside looking in" during the Republican endorsement process and that it would be too difficult to mount a primary campaign and then run as an independent.Â
While he acknowledged his independent bid won't be easy, he believes he is well-known around Wayne County — the largest county in the district — and can win support from Democratic, GOP and unaffiliated voters.Â
"When somebody comes up to me in my community or even around the county and they talk to me about an issue, I don't ask them what their party is," he said. "I always try to address the situations and a lot of people know that about me."Â
He added, "I don't have to be a follower of a party. I'm there to serve the people, not to serve one political party."
If he is elected to the state Assembly, he plans to caucus with the Republicans.Â
Manktelow isn't bothered by the possibility of Fremouw's independent run, even though he could lose some votes to his fellow Republican.Â
"If he runs, he runs," Manktelow said in an interview Friday. "It doesn't change what I'm doing. I want people to vote for me for what I think I can do and what I stand for."Â
The decision to run as an independent won't affect a major endorsement Fremouw received in the state Assembly race.Â
Last week, New York State United Teachers backed Fremouw for Assembly. In addition to his duties as mayor of Clyde, Fremouw is a mechanic for the Clyde-Savannah school district.Â
"As a public school employee, Jerry Fremouw understands the need to invest in strong schools," NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. "He is a true public servant and a champion for working families in his community. He would be a terrific addition to the state Legislature."Â
Fremouw embraced NYSUT's support, calling it a "big plus" for his campaign. But he acknowledged that the union endorsed him despite not knowing whether he would continue to campaign as a Republican or launch an independent bid.Â
A NYSUT spokesperson confirmed Friday that Fremouw's decision to run as an independent won't impact the endorsement.Â
The 130th Assembly District includes all of Wayne County, the towns of Aurelius, Brutus, Cato, Conquest, Ira, Mentz, Montezuma, Sennett, Sterling and Victory in Cayuga County and the towns of Hannibal, Minetto and Oswego in Oswego County.Â
The seat is open after state Assemblyman Bob Oaks announced he will not seek re-election this year. Oaks, a Republican, represented the district since 1992.Â