The first official candidate throws his hat in the ring to become Troy's next mayor. That political race has ramped up after Mayor Lou Rosamilia announced Monday he would not seek re-election. Geoff Redick reports.
TROY, N.Y. -- The first official candidate threw his hat in the ring to become Troy's next mayor.
Since Mayor Lou Rosamilia announced he would not seek re-election, this race has really begun to take shape.
The cavalcade of candidates is far from over, but today, two men who were raised in Troy, said they are committed to fixing the Collar City's woes.
"I'm here to humbly ask for your support, to be the next mayor of the City of Troy," said Rodney Wiltshire, candidate for Troy mayor.
As Troy's current City Council President, Democrat and mayoral candidate Rodney Wiltshire said Wednesday, he is uniquely aware of Troy's many problems.
"We need to talk about, and reject the silliness and politics that have consumed way too many people in Troy city government," said Wiltshire.
But that statement is uniquely positioned, coming from Wiltshire. His own Democratic party chairman, Tom Wade, told Time Warner Cable News Tuesday that Wiltshire has "rejected" his own party, as Council President the past two years.
"That was his goal to be president of the council, and he did it by selling his soul to the Republicans. I think he should consider seeking the Republican nomination, because that's where his loyalties have lied," said Thomas Wade, Rensselaer County Democratic Committee Chairman.
"Unfortunately, they're a dying breed: the chairman, and that 'old boys' style of political machinery, if you will," said Wiltshire.
Wiltshire said he doesn't need Democratic Committee support to win the hearts of Democrats and independents.
"He probably doesn't realize the lack of support he has, and I certainly realize the amount of support that I have within the party and within the Democratic voter base," said Wiltshire.
"This is a chance for us to put a new face on the party, and to move us forward," said Ernest Everett, candidate for Troy Mayor.
Then, there is Ernest Everett: a 32-year-old Troy native with his own plans to run for mayor as a Democrat.
Everett expects to formally announce in April.
"What's happening right now in downtown is definitely a renaissance period. What I want to do is make sure that renaissance continues to drive forward, for both Lansingburgh and South Troy," said Everett.
With political staff experience in Washington and a private sector, Everett believes he can come from outside Troy's government, and clean up the inner workings.
"No longer do we want to be the punchline of the Capital District, we want to be the backbone of the Capital District," said Everett.
Wednesday brought the number of official mayoral candidates to just one, but many others hang in the balance, including councilor Jim Gordon and former councilwoman Carmella Mantello on the Republican side.
The official filing deadline for the mayor's race will be in late April or early May.