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Greenberg wants to waive candidate petition process because of COVID-19

Mar 09, 2020 11:45 pm
Paul Kirby reports for the Daily Freeman that Democratic candidate for state Senate Gary Greenberg says that a Chinese-American woman from Guilderland was "verbally assaulted" while circulating nominating petitions for his campaign. Greenberg, from New Baltimore, wants the Board of Elections to change the petition signature rules or waive the process altogether because of the spread of the coronavirus. "People are scared,” Greenberg said. “Requiring petitioners to knock on doors during this unprecedented health crisis does not make sense and causes undue stress for all New Yorkers who open their doors to strangers asking for signatures.” But a New York state health department spokesperson said that “concerns about the novel coronavirus should focus on public health and safety, and not be used as an excuse for anti-Chinese racism or xenophobia.” Greenberg's campaign has been struggling to win official support, as Democratic committees in Schenectady, Albany, Greene, Montgomery, and Ulster counties have all endorsed Michelle Hinchey for the 46th state Senate District that he is also seeking. Read more about this story in the Daily Freeman.