SUNBURY - The county Democratic Party chairman has filed a complaint against Commissioner Stephen Bridy for remaining on the Northumberland County Board of Elections despite his candidacy for office.
But Bridy said he's not yet officially a candidate.
Rodger Babnew filed the complaint Friday morning with Alicia Herb, county director of elections.
"It's not fair that he is a judge on the board of elections when he has told members of the media that he is running for re-election," Babnew said.
Bridy said Friday afternoon he has not filed to be a candidate for commissioner and has not formally announced his candidacy. As an Independent, he has until Aug. 3 to circulate and file nomination papers.
"It is something we have been in deep thought and prayer over," Bridy said about his family, "and whichever way the Lord wants me to go, that is what I will do."
System unfair
According to statute, the county commissioners serve on the board of elections unless they are candidates for office. With Rich Shoch seeking re-election on the Republican ticket, he was replaced on the board by President Judge William Wiest, who is not a candidate in the judge's race. Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi is not running, and therefore remains on the board.
The primary is for Republican and Democratic nominations only. Voters registered as Independent or in other minority parties cannot cast votes in the primary.
Beth Kremer, Northumberland County Republican party chair, said she hadn't had the chance to further research the issue, but agrees with Babnew.
"If he's running, he has no business on the board of elections," Kremer said. "It's not fair that Independent candidates do not have to go through the same procedures as the other parties."
Bridy agrees the system isn't fair - but for a different reason.
"What isn't fair is that my taxpayer dollars are funding the primary election and, as an Independent voter, I cannot cast a ballot. That's taxation without representation," he said. He said keeping minority parties out of the primary is a way for those in the two-party system to remain in control.
Bridy made an accusation of his own, saying he's heard of efforts to find other Independent candidates and have them file nomination papers to keep him off the ballot. He wouldn't disclose who those people are. Bridy said he's been told there can only be one Independent candidate on the ballot.
Knowing he might run, Bridy said he spoke with election board solicitor Frank Garrigan about the election board situation. Garrigan addressed the issue at the start of April's meeting, and Bridy said he then abstained from every vote. He said he reserved the right to vote if a tie needed to be broken.
Garrigan said Friday he received a copy of the complaint from Herb, and helped formulate her response, but would not say what it is. Attempts to reach Herb via cell phone after hours Friday were unsuccessful.
Babnew said he would drop the complaint if Bridy signs a formal statement that he will not be a candidate in November and does not file a nomination petition.
"If he's not running, there will be no problem," Babnew said. "There should be no wiggle room for him in this election."