LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Party lines are being drawn and the upcoming ballots are beginning to take shape in the Livingston County District Attorney race. At this stage of the campaign season, candidates are working hard at securing second lines on the ballot.
District Attorney Greg McCaffrey is now a candidate on two party lines, the Democratic and the Independent Party lines. Geneseo attorney Steve Sessler has secured a spot on the Conservative Party line.
Former Assistant D.A. Eric Scheiner was endorsed by the Livingston County Republican Committee, but he his being challenged for the spot on the Republican line by Sessler, and the two will face off in a September primary.
The race between Sessler and Scheiner for the Republican nomination is especially complicated and interesting. If Sessler wins the Republican primary, Scheiner will not be on the November Ballot unless he can secure some other third party line.
If Scheiner wins the September primary and secures the Republican nomination, that would set up a three-way race for the November final election.
In either of those scenarios Sessler is poised to have a major impact. With the Republican nomination he will be a formidable opponent at the ballot box, and at the same time a serious challenge to the Republican establishment. Without the primary victory, there is the distinct possibility that with the Conservative ballot position and a vigorous campaign he could easily split the Republican vote.
In addition, the fact that this is a presidential year could bring higher-than-average voter turnout. Against all expectations, in Livingston County politics this year, it seems almost anything is possible.