Pete Dougherty’s 24-Hour Campaign Earns Most Votes at Livonia Caucus

LIVONIA – The town’s former postmaster ran a highly successful 24-hour campaign for a seat on the Town Board.

Republican Peter Dougherty says he didn’t even know that he’d be running until the two days before the June 13 caucus. He made some phone calls to family members and decided to go for it.

“That Sunday the idea popped into my head,” said Dougherty. “I called my daughter Katie and my sons Tom and Michael and they were on board. Monday I started going door to door for petitions and the caucus was Tuesday.”

Dougherty was the top vote getter over two others, incumbent Town Council members Matt Gascon and Angela Grouse. Dougherty and Gascon are so far running unopposed for the two seats on the Livonia Town Board.

Dougherty is on Livingston County Republican Committee and a longtime Livonia Rotarian. Besides always having an interest in politics but being unable to get involved while he was with the Post Office, Dougherty said that there is a need for some Lakeville representation on the Town Board.

“In our 18 years living in Lakeville I’ve never seen a Lakeville resident on the Town Board,” said Dougherty. “I’ve been thinking about it more and more and now I am able and have time to do it.”

Many in town got to know Dougherty while he was postmaster. He said he enjoyed the face-to-face of knocking on doors last Monday.

“You wave to people passing by but you don’t really get to talk to them, which is what I got to do last Monday,” said Dougherty. “My whole family likes people. My wife Barb was a teacher. My sons are in law enforcement. My daughter is in pharmaceuticals and deals with growers of drugs, and their rules and regulations. We like people. So yes, I’m happy, I have time to serve and I look forward to it.”