Oswego, New York, April 20, 2020 – The Libertarian Party of New York (LPNY) announced today that Oswego County Supreme Court Judge Scott J. Deleconte flatly invalidated Claudia Tenney’s attempt to appear on the Libertarian ballot line in the June primary for New York Congressional District 22. In his ruling, Judge Deleconte determined that Tenney, a Republican, “did not file the proper certificate of authorization…under the rules of the Libertarian Party”, and declared her designating petition invalid.
After the LPNY Interim State Committee declined to issue Tenney a certificate of authorization, known as a Wilson-Pakula authorization, a purported “22 nd Congressional District Nominating Committee of the Libertarian Party” signed and submitted an improper certificate of authorization to the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE). Two general and specific objections from enrolled Libertarians were subsequently submitted to the NYSBOE, both arguing that the authorization was invalid because it violated the LPNY’s rules.
Jim Ostrowski, an Erie County attorney, represented the LPNY and the objectors named in this case. “We are pleased with the judge’s decision because it recognizes the importance of election law and party rules in protecting minor parties from being invaded by the two major parties. Of course, the Libertarian Party welcomes non-Libertarian candidates who wish to appear on our line and are willing to adhere to party rules and procedures to obtain a valid and proper Wilson-Pakula authorization.”
At the same time Tenney filed her lawsuit, Ostrowski filed a lawsuit in Oneida County Supreme Court seeking an order to declare Tenney’s certificate of authorization invalid. The hearing of the Oneida case was stayed pending the outcome of the Oswego case and is awaiting adjudication.
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