POUGHKEEPSIE – Elections petitions to have Frances Knapp and Alexandra Willis run in a Democratic primary against two incumbent Dutchess County committee members in the City of Poughkeepsie Ward 7, District 3 have been ruled invalid by the two county elections commissioners.
Following a hearing on Thursday, both Democrat Marco Caviglia and Republican Erik Haight concurred and rejected the petition.
At issue, they said, was the wording of the petition, which suggested that one committee position was available, not two.
The petitions were drafted by Randall Johnson Sr.
Knapp is a former elections commissioner, who was indicted on several criminal charges. She pled guilty to two misdemeanors and had to resign her post.
Caviglia declined to comment on the ruling, saying “the decision speaks for itself.” Haight had some harsh words.
“Some people just don’t belong in politics and I think that Randy Johnson and Fran Knapp are two people that fall in that category,” Height said.
Johnson fired back saying running the board of elections is like a dog with a Frisbee, not letting go. He said there are more pressing issues at hand.
“Like no city bus service, building a new county jail, selling the city’s water plant, loss of the sales tax revenue and the 16.5 percent tax increase on taxpayers, all caused by the Republican leadership,” Johnson said. “That’s the reason I’m in politics to stop the real criminals.”
Willis told the commissioners she had no knowledge of being placed as a candidate and did not consent to having her name on an elections petition.
