BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Broome County Executive Debbie Preston says she won't be forced out of the race by accusations that she misused a municipal credit card in her time as Conklin town supervisor.

"I have to say that I regret it. I'm sorry," Preston said. "It was told to me that this was resolved, that there were no issues here."

Preston came forward Tuesday to talk about her use of a Town of Conklin Sam's Club credit card. Preston said she took out the card in 2011 and used it through 2012. That card had both her name and the Town of Conklin's name on it.

"As you know, Sam's goes around and you open up where you can get memberships," Preston said. "Businesses get cards and they also get open accounts. That's the way that was done."

Preston said some of the purchases were for items she lost during the flood, but she repeatedly insisted she did not use town or taxpayer money.

"I paid tax on all purchases," Preston said. "I made payments every month when the bill came, just like anybody does with a credit card bill."

In 2012, a few months after she took office as Broome County executive, Preston says she paid off the card and was told the issue was resolved.

However, she claims someone later attempted to blackmail her. She said that person threatened to leak information about the card if she did not convince a lawmaker to change a vote.

"I didn't do. I didn't do what was asked of me," Preston said. "And I'm not. I'm not going to quit on the people of Broome County."

Preston says tactics like that will not work. She stresses that she will not resign and will continue her campaign for Broome County executive.

Her opponent in the election says it is a sad time in Broome County.

"2016, we see corruption at the federal level. We see corruption at the state level," Democratic candidate Jason Garner said. "Unfortunately, it's trickled all the way down to the local level. We now have public corruption here as well and it sends a very bad message to the people of Broome County this is happening here."

Preston wrote a letter to the New York state comptroller asking for an audit on the card.