RANDOLPH — And then there were eight.
Another candidate has confirmed attendance at the 23rd Congressional District Democratic Congressional Straw Poll Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Randolph Fire Hall.
Carl Warrington, an Ontario County Presbyterian minister, is the eighth person to announce a candidacy in the crowded Democratic primary in the 11-county 23rd District.
“All eight candidates have indicated they plan to attend the straw poll and they plan to bring their friends,” said Frank Puglisi of Lyndon, the Cattaraugus County Democratic Party chairman.
The other candidates are Jamestown attorney Eddie Sundquist; Ithaca businessman Ian Golden; Tracy Mitrano, a college administrator from Penn Yan; Charles Whalen, a college economist from Geneva; Rick Gallant, a teacher from Corning; retired U.S. Air Force officer Max Della Pia of Owego; and former Star Trek actor John Hertzler of the town of Ulysses in Tompkins County.
Puglisi, Allegany County Democratic Chairman Mike McCormick and Chautauqua County Democratic Chairman Norman Green proposed the straw poll to help Democrats gauge the candidates at this early stage in the primary race, which won’t be decided until June.
The winner will run against three-term Republican Rep. Tom Reed of Corning.
“We’re ready for anywhere from 250 to 700 people,” Puglisi told the Olean Times Herald Thursday. “The candidates have been spending time in these three counties in the past couple of weeks pushing the poll.”
Puglisi said, “The candidates understand how important this part of the district is in the primary. Chautauqua County is the second biggest Democratic county after Tompkins, and Cattaraugus County is third.”
Five of the eight candidates have been in the three counties on the western end of the 23rd Congressional District in the last week, Puglisi said.
“With five candidates from Tompkins County, that vote is going to be splintered,” Puglisi said. “This is where the race will be won or lost, especially the primary.”
Democratic Party officials will be printing ballots today after broadcasting a video online of the drawing for the ballot order and lineup when they speak at the straw poll Saturday, Puglisi said.
Democrats attending the straw poll will each pay $10 for a ballot. The proceeds will be divided among the Democratic committees from the three host counties, with a share to be divided among the other county committees.
“All the candidates are actively trying to get their people out Saturday,” Puglisi said. “They are bringing them in from all 11 counties. I’m really shocked it’s getting so much interest.”
There were some reports of buses and vans being chartered to bring supporters to the straw poll, one county Democratic official said.
The three county Democratic chairmen are hoping the straw poll will help provide a buzz for the candidates more than a year before the election and seven months ahead of the primary. It may help the top three finishers break out of the pack, and candidates can start raising money for the primary and beyond.
“Placing high in the straw poll will help,” Puglisi said. “Other county chairs are looking at straw polls as well. It gives candidates a forum to meet them all together.”
He added, “We’re ready for as many people who walk in the door Saturday. I just hope it goes smooth.”
(Contact reporter Rick Miller at rmiller@oleantimesherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @RMillerOTH)
