Walsh Reacts To Erasing Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin’s Name From The Ballot

Statement by Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) following vote that will remove fmr. Lt. Gov. Benjamin from primary ballot

“Today’s vote erasing the disgraced and arrested former lieutenant governor, Brian Benjamin, from the primary ballot is not only a new low for this legislative body, but also likely unconstitutional.

“Changing the rules in the middle of the game to ‘save face’ is an affront to the voters of our state. Even more insulting is that the governor herself has publicly spearheaded the effort for this legislation to be passed under the guise that it will protect voters from ‘confusion’ at the polls, when it is just an act of naked political partisanship. The passage of this legislation was not only done to separate the former disgraced lieutenant governor from the governor on the primary ballot, but to also to potentially hand-pick his replacement.

“Let’s get back to work on the real and everyday issues our residents are facing, such as record inflation and soaring crime rates. We would be well-served to move and pass meaningful legislation with the same expediency as Majority lawmakers did during today’s politically-motivated maneuver.”