Democratic candidates battle for spot on congressional ballot

During Juanita Perez Williams’ candidacy for Syracuse mayor last November, Dana Balter volunteered for her campaign. After her defeat, Perez Williams returned the favor by assisting Balter’s current congressional campaign. She even donated $250.

But when Perez Williams passed out petitions and knocked on doors, she said she had a trouble getting signatures. People just didn’t know who Balter was, Perez Williams said.

Now, both Perez Williams and Balter are running for the same House of Representatives seat. Balter, a visiting assistant teaching professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and Perez Williams, a former Syracuse mayoral candidate, are campaigning on the Democratic ballot in hopes of defeating incumbent Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) in New York state’s 24th Congressional District race this fall.

Both Perez Williams and Balter have voiced disapproval of Katko. Katko is a two-term incumbent who’s particularly unpopular among local activist groups for voting to approve the Republican Party’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Balter currently has the endorsements of all Democratic committees in the four counties that make up the 24th Congressional District, which Katko represents.

Some, including Joe Driscoll, Syracuse’s 5th district Common Councilor, said it would have been better for the Democratic party if Perez Williams had decided to run earlier in the race. Perez Williams launched her campaign in early April. Balter began running for Congress in September 2017.  

“I physically knew I could do it, but you know, mentally I wanted to make sure that I was confident enough to get back in the ring,” Perez Williams said. “I decided I really felt obligated to do it, so I jumped in.”

Moly Gibbs | Asst. Photo Editor

Common Councilor Joe Driscoll spoke at an event for Dana Balter outside of the Westcott Theater on Sunday.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a group that helps Democratic House of Representatives candidates, had been recruiting Perez Williams for months, according to Syracuse.com.

“We want to make sure we are working with everyone that’s out there. We also very much respect local leaders,” said Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), chair of the DCCC, told Syracuse.com. “But this is a district where we had been recruiting all along, and we had reached out to (Perez Williams) early.”

After launching her campaign, Perez Williams only had 12 days to gather the 1,250 signatures necessary for a spot on the June 26 Democratic primary ballot. Perez Williams submitted more than 3,200 signatures by April 12.

Perez Williams said she had almost 60 volunteers and a dozen paid DCCC members help her get the necessary amount of signatures to get on the ballot. Signatures must come from active Democratic Party members.

“The fact that Juanita got so many signatures in such a short period of time would lead one to think that maybe some of them aren’t (valid),” Driscoll said. “I know Katko will definitely be trying to scrub those petitions hard to make sure she doesn’t get on the ballot.”

In mid-April, Diane Dwire, an Onondaga County Democratic Committee member, claimed that 2,400 of Perez Williams’ signatures were invalid. Perez Williams’ opponents said many of the signatures listed the wrong addresses or were not people registered to vote in New York state, Syracuse.com reported. The New York State Board of Elections will review the objections and could disqualify her from the Democratic primary, per Syracuse.com.

Driscoll said he believes the candidates will struggle to win rural counties in the district. Cities in the 24th district, including Oswego, Sterling and Clay, are not as Democratic nor as urban as Syracuse, Driscoll said.

At a press event for Balter on Sunday, Cayuga County Legislator Keith Batman said Balter had “broad” and “deep” grassroots support. Balter has been returning to Auburn and Cayuga counties to meet with groups and talk with constituents since her first debate there, Batman said.

“We are indeed unified behind one candidate,” Driscoll said. “And that candidate is Dana Balter.”

The event, held in front of the Westcott Theater in the rain, drew about 50 supporters. Speakers included Driscoll, Oswego County Legislator Tom Drumm and Onondaga County Legislator Chris Ryan.

Balter also has the backing of some at Syracuse University. Just days after Perez Williams announced her candidacy, the SU College Democrats voted by simple majority to endorse Balter. The organization endorsed Perez Williams during her 2017 mayoral bid.

— Asst. Digital Editor Daniel Strauss contributed reporting to this story.

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