John Wallace on GOP Primary Ballot

By Catskill Daily Mail

posted 07/13/08

CHATHAM — Wallace looking to steal Gillibrand’s seat.

John Wallace, a Republican who is running for the congressional seat currently held by Kristen Gillibrand, D-Hudson, recently filed his petition with the New York State Board of Elections to be in the Republican primary this September. The petition requires the signatures of more than 1,250 Republican voters from the district.

After filing his petition Thursday afternoon, Wallace said, “The petition filing today is the culmination of six weeks of hard work by a group of dedicated volunteers consisting of longtime friends, neighbors and supporters throughout the district who were willing to actively participate in the election process to get me on the ballot.”

A news release said no paid staff were involved in the signature gathering process. Wallace’s petition teams consisted of a cross section of citizens from varied backgrounds, including former law enforcement officers, volunteer firefighters, retirees, small business owners, husband and wife teams and young and old, who were willing to step up and get involved.

Wallace, who traveled the district getting signatures and talking to Republicans, Democrats and independent voters in face-to-face meetings at their homes, said, “Ninety-five percent of the people I met and talked to are very upset with the federal and state governments, as well as both major political parties. Both men and women feel strongly that members of Congress have been corrupted by the millions of dollars in bribes (campaign contributions) they routinely receive from special interest groups, and many of the people I talked to said that for the first time in their lives, they actually feel alienated from the very government that is supposed to represent them.”

Wallace will be meeting with his all-volunteer, grassroots campaign team this week to develop a plan that will help him meet with as many citizens in the district as he can, from all parties and groups, to talk about the issues.

“The positions I have taken on the issues, including the 33 detailed position papers on my Web sites, are not Republican, Democratic, Conservative or Libertarian party positions,” Wallace said in a statement. “They are my honest, heart-felt positions on issues that are important to protecting the freedoms and liberties of all Americans, and the positions I have taken transcend any political party positions, as they should.”