SCHENECTADY — Incumbent City Councilman Carl Williams is poised to break with tradition and go it alone in his reelection bid instead of running with the other endorsed Democrats.
“I’m just staying true to me,” Williams said Tuesday morning during a brief conversation when pressed on the issue about him likely not campaigning with Mayor Gary McCarthy and fellow City Council members Carmel Patrick and Doreen Ditoro, and political rookie Joe Mancini, all of whom earlier this year secured the backing of the city Democrats.
Williams, who is Black, declined to elaborate on what he meant by his statement but made it clear that his decision has nothing to with race. The other candidates endorsed by the Democrats are all white.
The frequent bickering among the all-Democratic City Council has produced some tense moments during meetings and has led members of the governing body, often divided along racial lines, to accuse each other of being racist.
Williams supported City Council President Marion Porterfield when she launched an election primary against McCarthy that she lost last month.
His decision to rebuff the McCarthy-led ticket could further deepen that political rift among Democrats.
Tom Bellick, chair of the Schenectady Democrats, said Tuesday that Williams still has the backing of the party even if he decides to go solo.
“We endorsed four candidates, I’m supporting all four of them, I’m supporting Carl … if he chooses not to work as a team, that’s up to him,” Bellick said. “It would be wonderful in they all ran together.”
Bellick declined to provide details about his “internal conversations” with Williams on the issue but said he had “wanted to include him in a City Council campaign.”
Asked about the prospects of party unity, Bellick paused for a moment and said, “that would be wonderful.”
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