Somebody isn’t playing nice in Franklin County’s Republican race for Senate nominations.
Two seats are up for grabs, and there are three Republican contenders: Norm McAllister, Dustin Degree and Joe Sinagra. The two winners will face-off against Democrats Don Collins and Carolyn Bright in the general election.
Saturday afternoon, I discovered a folded paper under my windshield wiper. The car was in the driveway of my house, way up away from the street. I didn’t see any other cars similarly leafletted, and the page appeared to be printed directly from a computer rather than photocopied. So presumably, this was intended especially for me… and perhaps a few other selected recipients(?)
The page was headlined “Franklin County Values?” with a subheading, “Sinagra Linked to Ballot Petition Forgery…Fired by Steve Forbes Campaign in 2000.” This was followed by two quotes from news articles, contemporary to the 2000 presidential primary race, including links to those articles. One simply states that Mr. Sinagra was working on the Steve Forbes campaign at the time. The other is about then-Secretary of State Deb Markowitz(D) questioning some of the signatures on the Forbes petitions. No mention was made of Mr. Sinagra.
Out of curiosity, I followed those links to find that there was absolutely nothing beyond what was quoted. I’m not inclined to do dirty work for anonymous tipsters, especially not at the behest of GOP anonymous tipsters.
Since the bumper of my car is heavily stickered with liberal and progressive banners, only a fool would be attempting to sway my personal vote in the Republican primary.
No; it must be assumed that whoever leafleted my car expected me to raise a stink in writing about Mr. Sinagra’s past. Somehow, this would presumably disqualify him for a weird subset of voters who both listen to what I say and are inclined to vote in Republican primaries!
I know, I know…that sounds pretty screwy; but what other conclusion are we to draw from this set of circumstances? The message certainly wasn’t left there by some Democrat, any of whom might just pick up the phone and call me; and any of whom would have absolutely no interest in knocking a Republican out of the primary race.
I don’t know all that much about Mr. Sinagra, other than that he has been a lobbyist for the housing industry; but if I were him, I’d be checking my back for knife-wounds.
Politics in Franklin County can be ugly, but it sounds like the FCGOP has a particular problem on its hands.
I have no knowledge of what’s going on in FC, but I do remember Dustin Degree
supporters swarming the GMD in comments a few months ago about some small ball comments made.
I think you even posted the poster registration timelines which I found amusing.
Just saying”
As someone who was a lobbyist, I have enjoyed reading GMD for sometime. As was stated, I am a candidate for the Republican nomination for State Senate and dirty politics does not have any place in Franklin County.
To set the record staight, yes I did work for Steve Forbes in 2000, I handled ballot access for the campaign for Vermont and southern NY. The Forbes campaign had dozens of people collect signatures in both states.
As the articles stated then-Secretary of State Deb Markowitz(D) did question some of the signatures on the Forbes petitions, but in the end Steve Forbes was on the ballot in Vermont in 2000.
This is just one of many dirty tricks happening in the race.
I would welcome ANYONE to call me at home at 527-5725 to discuss this or any other matter.
There’s an Anthony Sinagra in Ohio who has been in trouble for a fraud somewhat similar to the allegations in that anonymous flyer, but I can’t find a Joe, J. or Joseph alleged to have committed such chicanery no matter what I use for search terms.
Methinks the source of the flyer may be playing some dirty pool, spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt). A classic dirty campaign tactic. It’s not welcome in our state.
FYI, Anthony Sinagra of Ohio and former NJ Senator Joseph Sinagra are no relation.
My father, Anthony V. Sinagra was a city counsel member in Kingston NY for 8 years in the 80’s and 90’s
These are actually pretty serious charges. Sue, I think it may be more useful if you were to provide the links here so that people can decide for themselves. Also, Joe, if you were the person hired for the job, were you also fired from it too? It would seem to make sense that if you were the one being paid to get signatures, you would be the one responsible for checking to make sure there wasn’t any funny business involved in the process. And while you say that Mr. Forbes did end up on the ballot, you don’t say whether or not you were fired and held responsible?
I think these are questions that need to be answered.
Also, I want to let it be known that I created my account last night, I read some of the comments about people creating accounts to comment, isn’t that he whole point? I read the GMD all the time, and I’m a democrat, so Sue I understand this is an odd situation but a good opportunity for us to weigh in on what seems to be a dark corner that needs some light shed on it, and I think that’s the whole point of this website.
This is certainly being done in typical Republican fashion.
Waiting for Answers,
Erik C.
Its obvious Sue that your trying to make it look like there is some in fighting amongst the Republicans, but you are not willing to produce any of the evidence. What are you trying to do here: make it look like Norm or Dustin have something to do with this? Sue I am not trying to drag this on, but let me get this straight? You can only post on here if you are a Democrat, or Progressive? It is unfortunate that people are allowed to mention the words progressive and democrat in the same sentence. At one point in this great state a Democrat was a moderate who stood up for the every day working citizen regardless of their economic status, or stance on social issues. At some point during the last 30 years all of you radical lefty libs flocked here with your trust funds, sense of entitlement, bad work ethic, with some pre conceived notion that normal hardworking Vermonters should go away and let you have your little sanctum. You dont want growth, you dont like business, you dont like anyone that doesnt agree with everything you say. I think I agree with the majority of the people in the state when I say its time for you Progressives to pack up and move. Liberate Vermont FOLKS!!!!!!!!! Its time we stand up to these wackadoos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric K.
In the lede to this post you mention that
As so often happens, the secessionist candidate goes unnoticed. Perennial party pooper Peter Moss is running yet another of his acronym encrusted campaigns as the Peace and Prosperity Party candidate for one of those two seats in Franklin County, as well as a companion U.S. Senate campaign against Bernie and the eventual Republican candidate in that race.
What’s a secesher gotta do to get a little love around here?