Conservative member fails to win his party’s endorsement in Malta

Tim Dunn to run in primary in effort to keep council seat

By WENDY LIBERATORE

MALTA — A town councilman and member of the Conservative Party has been passed over for an endorsement, a move that is forcing a Conservative primary in June.

Tim Dunn, a two-term incumbent and former Republican, said he filed five times the minimum required signatures to secure the Conservative line on the ballot. However, Saratoga County Conservatives have selected Republicans to fill the seat — incumbent Craig Warner and political newcomer Murray Eitzmann — in the November election.

have the overwhelming support of so many grassroots rank-andfile voters in my town,” Dunn said in a statement. “The people have spoken loud and clear, and I plan to work hard every day to live up to the honor bestowed upon me.”

When asked why Dunn was not chosen by Conservatives, Saratoga County Chair David Buchyn said, “He’s definitely not a conservative.”

“Tim is a pro-growth moderate,” Buchyn said. “During his interview, Tim touted his ability to win Democrat votes in the general election. We did not view that as a positive. He has publicly supported left-wing candidates (Assemblywoman) Carrie Woerner and (Democrat and candidate for Town Supervisor) Michael Williams. Tim was the leader of the Unite NY party, a center-left party that includes far-left policy advisers.”

Buchyn said he believes Dunn switched to the Conservative Party in December “simply because it’s much easier to gain ballot access on the Conservative line than on the Republican line,” adding Dunn only needed 11 signatures in Malta. Buchyn said Dunn would need more than 200 signatures to push a Republican primary.

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