New York State Young Republicans Clarify Position on Endorsements, Gives Support To Kleinhandler

July 28, 2010 - PRLog -- The New York State Young Republicans have issued a statement clarifying that they have not endorsed any candidates in the upcoming primary season.

“We have a history and policy based on long standing precedent that we do not endorse candidates prior to the Republican primary. We have endorsed neither Anthony Mele in the 17th Congressional District nor Michael Allegretti in the 13th Congressional District,” said NYSYR Chair Lynn Krogh.

Recently, it has been reported that a website named the “Young Republican Network” had endorsed Anthony Mele in the 17th Congressional District and Michael Allegretti in the 13th Congressional District. The “Young Republican Network” website is affiliated with neither the New York State Young Republicans, nor the Young Republican National Federation.

“It is unfortunate that a couple of random individuals running a small website have decided to cause some confusion by endorsing candidates in contested primaries in New York State. I am not sure why a website that aims to expand networking among Republicans would choose to endorse any candidate in a contested primary. How can this website effectively reach out to Young Republicans in New York State to build this on line network, if they are making clandestine endorsements without first speaking with the official Young Republican officers in the state and the counties involved?”

President of the Rockland County Young Republicans, Giovanni Scaringi said, “York Kleinhandler, as the undisputed candidate at all 3 county conventions in the 17th Congressional District of New York State is the party’s candidate. We fully support him in his efforts to unseat Congressman Elliot Engel. In addition, York has the full backing of the New York State Young Republicans as well as its local county chapters. Anthony Mele’s email dated Saturday July, 3, 2010 at 7:15PM was misleading as he stated that the Young Republicans have endorsed him for Congress. The Young Republican Network is an independent organization of the New York State Republicans and in its efforts to assist the New York State Young Republicans has since removed its video endorsement of Mele on its website in recognition of York Kleinhandler, the party’s candidate”.

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York Kleinhandler is the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party's candidate for Congress from NY-17. York has been endorsed by the National Defense PAC, the Republican National Hispanic Assembly NY Chapter and Combat Veterans for Congress.