09/14/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Hannie Santana, Chair
Niskayuna Republican Committee
[email protected]
Niskayuna Republican Committee Declines October 14 Niskayuna Supervisor Candidate Forum Invitation
Committee cites concerns regarding fairness, civility, impartiality, and the relevance of forum questions
NISKAYUNA, N.Y. — September 14, 2026 — The Niskayuna Republican Committee announced today that it has respectfully declined an invitation from the League of Women Voters of Schenectady County to participate in the October 14 candidate forum for Niskayuna Town Supervisor.
The decision follows several concerns arising from the Committee’s experience at last year’s forum. Those concerns include the handling of a Republican candidate’s absence due to illness, the appearance that some participants may have had advance knowledge of forum questions, questions that extended beyond the responsibilities of the Town Supervisor, and what Committee members regarded as discourteous treatment at the event.
“We appreciate the League’s longstanding efforts to engage voters and encourage civic participation,” said Hannie Santana, Chair of the Niskayuna Republican Committee. “However, the perception of bias created by last years’ experience—from the handling of a candidate’s illness to questions that reached well beyond the scope of the office—leads us to conclude that participating under similar circumstances would not be appropriate.”
“We hope future forums will provide equal treatment to all candidates, use a clearly neutral and transparent format, and focus on issues that directly affect the community and the office being sought,” Santana added.
At last year’s forum, Republican candidate Mr. Randall was unable to attend because he was suffering from pneumonia. The Committee was initially informed that a statement could be read on his behalf. However, upon arriving at the event, Committee members were told that this would not be permitted. The Committee believes that the decision was communicated in an unnecessarily aggressive and disrespectful manner.
The Committee was also troubled by a social-media post from a Democratic supporter that appeared to speculate, without evidence, that Mr. Randall may have been responsible for removing Democratic campaign signs and placing them on the supervisor’s lawn.
The Committee believes that public speculation of this nature is inappropriate and inconsistent with the fairness and civility that should characterize a candidate forum.
During the forum, several Democratic candidates appeared to have prepared statements responsive to particular questions. This created the perception that some candidates may have received advance knowledge of the questions, raising concerns about whether the forum process was truly impartial and fair.
The Committee was further concerned that several questions extended beyond matters directly connected to the responsibilities of the Niskayuna Town Supervisor. Topics such as the merger involving St. Peter’s Hospital and Ellis Hospital, as well as comments concerning ICE agents, may be important public issues. However, they are not matters over which a town supervisor has direct responsibility or meaningful influence.
The Niskayuna Republican Committee believes that a local supervisor forum should focus primarily on issues affecting town government and residents, including:
- Property taxes and budgeting
- Water and sewer services
- Infrastructure and public safety
- Land use, development, and neighborhood quality of life
- Transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in town government
The Committee appreciates the League of Women Voters’ longstanding commitment to civic engagement and voter education. It hopes that future forums will provide equal treatment to all candidates, use a clearly neutral and transparent format, and focus primarily on issues that directly affect the community and the office being sought.
# # #
