Former Gates Police Sgt. Silvio Palermo has declined the Conservative Party nomination for Ontario County Sheriff and will not appear on the November ballot.
Palermo: No pathway to run a competitive race in November
The move comes after Palermo was defeated by Sheriff’s Department Lt. David Cirencione 56-43% in last week’s GOP primary. In an email to the Finger Lakes Times, Palermo said he made the decision to withdraw after discussing the issue with Reid Robbins, chair of the Ontario County Conservative Party. “As a realist, there is no pathway for me to run a competitive race against the two major party lines,” Palermo said. “As someone who has always held true conservative values, I am grateful for their endorsement and support for my candidacy, but it’s in the best interest for me and the Ontario County Conservative Party to withdraw.”
RELATED: MEET THE CANDIDATES: Palermo, Cirencione talk issues as Ontario County Sheriff primary draws near
Will Conservative Party find a new candidate?
Republican Election Commissioner Mike Northrup says the Conservative Party has until July 28 to nominate a new candidate if it chooses. No word on whether the party will do so.
Former Sheriff Phil Povero has been serving as interim Sheriff since Kevin Henderson and Undersheriff David Frasca resigned last year in the wake of accusations of workplace misconduct against Henderson. Palermo lost to Henderson in the 2018 election.
RELATED: Democrat Steve Slavny joins Ontario County Sheriff race
Watch our full Inside the FLX conversation with GOP nominee David Cirencione below.
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