Press Release

Primary Challenge

June 18, 2010

Subject:  Carl Paladino Endorsement

All:

            Over the past five years, long before the Tea Party began, Primary Challenge started working to produce an infrastructure to infuse good people into the political process.  We started in Erie County, New York and have progressed in the past year to the point where Primary Challenge volunteers are in nearly every county of New York.  In addition, our process has been replicated by other groups in most of the Country.

            In that five year period, I have witnessed many that for personal reasons, want to take advantage of our efforts, or simply frustrate those efforts.  It has been difficult not to confront these actions and I believe staying focused on the process and working to make it successful was the right thing to do.

            With the help of volunteers representing Primary Challenge and many of the “Reform” groups, we have been able to organize an infrastructure capable of electing a Governor in New York.  Credit for this accomplishment is not the property of any one person or even any one group.  The collaborative efforts of many have given us this opportunity and I am very grateful.

            Over the past few days, I have received several emails questioning the endorsement of Carl Paladino by the “Tea Party”.  While I acknowledge that the “Tea Party” is an ideology, not a party, groups associated with Primary Challenge from across the State, identifying themselves with the “Tea Party” ideology, met in Albany and interviewed candidates for Governor. All announced candidates were invited to attend the endorsement meeting.  Carl Paladino and Warren Redlich agreed to participate and after hearing from both candidates and questioning their positions Carl Paladino received the overwhelming endorsement of our collective groups.

            The attendees at the endorsement meeting represented groups from around the state and thousands of individuals within those groups.  Working together, these groups are now circulating petitions to place Carl on the ballot in the Republican primary.  Additionally, we will be circulating petitions to create a third ballot line for reformers frustrated with the conduct of both major parties.

            We at Primary Challenge working with the many groups from across the state recognize Carl Paladino as the most viable candidate for Governor to carry the reform platform to Albany.  There will no doubt be impostors, attempting to speak on our behalf, who want to frustrate our efforts or exploit this moment in time.

            As always, I recognize every individual’s right to run for public office and I applaud their efforts.  But we must not take our eye off the ball.  Our focus is set, our purpose is clear.  In 2010 Primary Challenge and our affiliated groups, aka “Tea Party” will elect the next Governor of New York and his name is Carl Paladino.

My Sincerest Regards,

Leonard A. Roberto

Chairman

Primary Challenge