In what appears to be a loosely organized push to keep Mayor Josh Cohn’s Gang of Four city council voting block together, a write-in campaign to support current Council member Carolina Johnson in the November 7th election has surfaced in the last one to two weeks. Johnson, part of the Mayor’s 4-3 voting block majority, had decided previously not to stand for re-election.
“It’s just like a grassroots sort of thing,” Johnson told MyRye.com on Thursday. “I think people are not completely enamored with the choices.” Asked if she would serve should the write-in gambit succeed in an off year, low turnout election cycle, Johnson said “If people want me to continue, and they see the value of me making a contribution. Yes, absolutely.”
“I’m aware and I think it’s terrific,” said Rye Mayor Josh Cohn of the write-in campaign, explaining he has not been involved in any organizational effort. “Josh Nathan is experienced. But the others running are not and to have Carolina’s incredible dash of experience and intellect is great.”
One issue the Mayor and his current voting block are working to advance is the approvals for a turf field installation at Nursery Field, an issue not without controversy. New city council members could potentially delay or reverse a decision on moving forward.
The existing election slate for Rye City Council was originally four active candidates for three open positions, until incumbent Council member Lori Fontanes ceased campaigning due to a pending move to Paris. Now there are three candidates actively running for three spots: Keith Cunningham (challenger) and Jamie Jensen (challenger) and Josh Nathan (incumbent). Local GOP and Democratic party organizers are staying quiet on the write-in campaign, not wanting to give it too much credence. The parties came together earlier in the year demanding Rye Mayor Josh Cohn and his three Council allies either drop their lawsuit against the City of Rye Board of Ethics or resign.
