Local Dem eyes Libous' senate seat

NORWICH – A Norwich Democrat is getting a headstart on his campaign to run for the 52nd District of the New York Senate in November 2008.

Though his candidacy isn’t official yet, Dr. Richard Jorgensen has filed a financial report with the New York State Board of Elections and begun soliciting campaign contributions toward a goal of accumulating $100,000 by year’s end.

Republican Senator Thomas W. Libous is currently serving his 10th term for the district which includes parts of Chenango County and all of Broome and Tioga counties.

Chenango County Democratic Chairwoman Catherine Ulfik said Jorgensen is out early with his campaign and would need to collect 1,000 or more signatures by July 2008, depending on party enrollment numbers determined on April 1.

“He might also have an opponent. It’s a process. It’s so early,” she said.

A local dentist, Jorgensen was a member for eight years on the Norwich City School District Board of Education. He was also executive vice president of the New York State Association of Small City Schools. His name became more widely recognized last year through his role as director for Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry’s successful campaign in November.

“Throughout that campaign - and all over the district - we got a feel for what people are doing and got to know the local, regional and state issues. We discovered considerable voter dissatisfaction with the current leadership,” he said.