Davis to Run on "Save Jobs and Farms" Line

By Rachel Ward

Greece, NY – A candidate for the 26th Congressional district will be on the ballot in the fall, even if he doesn't get the nod from his own Democratic party. Jack Davis has gathered enough signatures to get his "Save Jobs and Farms" party on the November 4th ballot.

Davis says volunteers collected over 7,000 signatures, which were presented to the State Board of Elections on August 19. Only 3,500 are required to get on the ballot.

But Davis says despite creating the new line, the Democratic party still represents his beliefs.

"In this district you need two lines, a major party line and a minor party line to win. I've wanted to do the Save Jobs party since '04 when I first started running. That's really my line, and I know this will draw a lot of people to the line."

Davis has run for the 26th district seat twice before, in 2004 and 2006. But this election is different. Davis is facing two other Democrats in a primary for the seat. And if he gets that nomination, he won't be running against Tom Reynolds as he did in 2004 and 2006 - the Republican is retiring.

Davis is also facing a challenge in the form of endorsements. Democratic rival Jon Powers has received the endorsement of all seven of the party committees in the counties that comprise the 26th district. Despite that, Davis says he has "great confidence" that he'll win the Democratic primary.

Both of Davis' Democratic campaign opponents characterized his use of the Save Jobs and Farms line as a way for him to bring some of the $3 million in personal funds he's contributed to his campaign to bear on the election.

Victoria Dillon, communications director for Jon Powers' congressional campaign, noted that Davis has very recently been involved in a dust-up with yet another third party, the Independence Party.

"Jack Davis has already tried to bribe his way into one party this cycle as we saw with the Independence Party in Monroe [County], so at least this time he's trying to buy this line ... now it's a little more out in the open."

Davis allegedly paid a $5,000 consulting fee to the wife of a Monroe County Independence Party chair, Rafael Colon. Colon has since resigned and the party is calling for the district attorney to investigate. Davis says he's broken off his relationship with the consultant and is putting the allegations of bribery behind him.

Democrat Alice Kryzan's campaign manager Anne Wadsworth also characterized Davis' creation of the "Save Jobs and Farms" party as pay-to-play.

"You can pay for your own party line, but voters want a real Democrat. Alice Kryzan has been a real Democrat her whole life and intends to stay that way."

Davis was registered as a Republican prior to running in the 2004 race against Reynolds.

A spokesperson for Christopher Lee, the Republican running in the 26th district, said his campaign wouldn't get involved with the Democratic party primary. He says Lee is focused on getting out his own message and will "see who's still standing" on Election Day.

Neither of Davis' opponents have taken the step of creating their own line. Powers will appear on the Working Families Party line, so like Davis, if he did not get the Democratic nomination, he would still appear on the ballot. But Kryzan will not appear on any other line. Wadsworth says she will not challenge the primary winner in the general election.

Davis is running on a "balanced trade" platform that would withdraw the United States from all free trade agreements and cancel the country's membership in the World Trade Organization.

He has vowed to take only a dollar a year in congressional salary if elected.