GOUVERNEUR — The St. Lawrence County Republican Committee held its annual meet and greet on Wednesday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Gouverneur, giving local party members a chance to meet this year’s candidates, particularly District Attorney candidate Gary Pasqua, and hear from U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro.
“I’m here to support our local candidates, and make sure that voters turn out in support of Gary and many of our town people,” Ms. Stefanik said. “I’m also here to thank him for the overwhelming support in my election last year.”
During his speech to the committee, Mr. Pasqua made a point of thanking Ms. Stefanik for her endorsement.
“It meant a lot to me and my campaign that she would do that,” he said during his speech.
Ms. Stefanik, for her part, used much of her speech to thank the local party members.
“With your help, not only did we win St. Lawrence County, but we won every single county in this district,” she said. “You are so incredibly important.”
While not up for election herself this year, Ms. Stefanik said that the local elections in 2017 will impact the tone of the national elections next year.
“I also wanted to reiterate how important this upcoming election is,” she said. “I hope to continue still working and proving that I deliver results, but the focus is this year, turning out our voters, and I’m so honored to endorse so many state and local candidates.”
She made a point of voicing her support for Mr. Pasqua.
“I’m so happy to endorse Gary,” she said. “I’m so excited to have him as a partner and really rebuild and have a fresh start to the St. Lawrence county district attorneys office.”
The committee also gave out the Betsy Kaplan Award, which it gives out occasionally, to Eldon B. Conklin, who has held a number of positions in the local party, the town and the village over the years, including being village trustee, mayor, and town councilman.
“Longevity, I guess, is why they gave it to me,” said Mr. Conklin.
When asked what he was most proud of his in years in local government, he said the way the town and village now work together.
“Over the years, it was almost like two separate entities,” he said. “Now they share equipment, they share manpower.”
Even a few non-Republicans came out in support of Mr. Conklin, including Ronald P. McDougall, the village mayor.
“He is a loyal and excellent friend,” Mr. McDougall said.
For his acceptance speech, Mr. Conklin did some editing.
“I wrote a big, long speech, it was too long,” he told the audience. “I kept shortening it, shortening it, got it down to the part where I said — thank you.” Then he returned to his seat.
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