Published: April 24, 2008 08:46 pm            

LEWISTON: Marra loses out on GOP line in village caucus

In a surprising turn at Thursday’s Village of Lewiston Republican caucus, current village Trustee Michael Marra will not have the chance to run for re-election on the Republican line this June.

Ron Winkley, another current trustee, and David Baird will have that honor as they were the top two vote-getters out of four nominees. The seats currently occupied by Winkley and Marra are up for election this year. They carry four-year terms.

“It was pretty much an upset,” said Lewiston Republican Committee Chairman Rob Nichols after the vote, referring to Baird’s victory. “But I can tell you David Baird’s a committee person who works hard and he’s probably a good guy for the job, too.”

About 40 people filled the board room at Village Hall for the meeting, including several Democrats or Republicans living outside the confines of the village who couldn’t vote, Nichols said. Only village residents can vote in the caucuses, which determine who gets to run on the Republican line in the June 17 general election. The Democratic caucus will be held at Village Hall at 7 p.m. Monday.

Neither Baird nor Winkley returned phone calls seeking comment Thursday evening.

Reached after the vote, Marra said he isn’t sure what his future holds. He acknowledged considering a run for the village board on a minor party line but still has to take stock of his options.

He also said he knew immediately when he arrived at Thursday’s vote it wasn’t his night.

“When I arrived at the caucus I certainly knew what was happening and there was a faction of people who had a candidate in mind,” Marra said. “I should have been more aware of something like that and invited some of my supporters as well and it wouldn’t have been an issue.”

A fourth village resident, Jackie Halpin-Rapp, was also nominated but wasn’t among the top vote-getters, Nichols said.

        

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