Bulman: Boyd made terrible decision

Bulman: Boyd made terrible decision
By TED REINERT, The Saratogian
09/28/2007

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Democratic County Chairman Larry Bulman was unsurprisingly miffed when Gordon Boyd reloaded his campaign for mayor with the Independence Party Thursday, nine days after losing the Democratic primary 1,184 to 669 and two days after edging Mayor Valerie Keehn in the full count of the Independence primary, 60 to 57.

"I think it's a terrible decision on his part" to continue the run, Bulman said, pointing out that Democrats selected Keehn by a wide margin, and that Boyd is a lifelong Democrat and his wife, Sharon, was city party chair until recently.

Asked if Boyd's entry into the race hurt Keehn or Republican candidate Scott Johnson more, he replied, "I think it hurts Gordon Boyd."

Bulman said he understood the reasoning behind a primary effort. He realizes that the Democratic sweep in the 2005 election included two factions.

"The Democratic Party is very diverse. We're not boring like the Republican Party," said Bulman. "But we're usually pretty good at coming together."

He remained optimistic about Keehn's chances.

"I think Mayor Keehn's going to do fine because she's got a very strong base in the city," he said. "People like her work ethic."

Bulman and Lou Schneider, the chair of the city committee who had supported Boyd before the primary but now "has to" support the Democratic candidate, met with Keehn Friday.

Johnson was unsurprised to see a three-candidate race lasting until November. He said more candidates offered more choices for the voters.

"I don't think he can hurt me, quite frankly," he said of Boyd's run.

Johnson also said Keehn's primary victory displayed her organized core of support, but should not be viewed as an indication of how she will do in the general election.

Johnson has begun raising funds, after holding back earlier.

He said he is glad primary season is over and he can focus on his campaign.

He also said negative campaigning against him by Keehn's supporters has already begun.

Reach Ted Reinert at treinert@saratogian.com or 583-8729 ext. 221.