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RYE, N.Y. -- Although Rob Astorino is not the official Republican nominee for governor, he has certainly been active on the campaign trail.

The Westchester County Executive has been working to highlight his record to voters across the state. He recently paid a visit to people in Cortland and Vestal.

"We made some tough choices. And we had to do that. We had to be the adult in the room. We cut taxes in Westchester. We have already pledged for a fifth straight year that taxes will not be raised," said Astorino.

He said his county budget today is smaller than when he took office. He pointed to 30,000 private sector jobs that were added during his tenure to make Westchester one of the highest employed counties in the state.

Astorino is particularly critical of Cuomo's statewide record on jobs and taxes.

"We are dead last, 50th in this country, in taxes. Our taxes are by and far the worst in the nation. And what are we getting for it?," said Astorino.

However, Republicans have struggled recently in New York State. They haven't won a statewide race since 2002 when George Pataki was reelected as governor.

"I think they have an uphill climb and they have a long, long way to go. It all starts with messaging and I don't think their messaging is resonating with the people of the state of New York," said Assemblyman Keith Wright.

"The narrative that the Republican Party is dormant or dead is a false narrative," said Astorino.

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Republican State Convention kicks off in Westchester County

A single primary wasnt enough to clear out the crowded field of candidates for the sheriffs seat in Jackson County. Though Deputy Sheriff Chip Hall carried 42 percent of the vote in a field of six Democratic candidates, the three Republican candidates finished virtually neck and neck.

I was holding my breath hoping for not a tie, said Lisa Lovedahl, director of the Jackson County Board of Elections.

She got her wish just barely. Curtis Lambert, a former Sylva police officer, came in first with 36 percent of the vote, but retired logger Jim Hodgins and bail bondsman Mary Rock split the remaining 64 percent nearly perfectly. When votes were finalized Tuesday afternoon, a single vote inched Hodgins 376 votes above Rocks 375.

Any time the highest vote-getter in a primary election gets less than 40 percent of the vote, the runner-up has the right to call for a runoff. Hodgins plans to do just that.

I sort of jumped the gun, Hodgins said last week. I wasnt used to this running for sheriff, and I told them I wanted to sign up for the runoff, but they told me they wouldnt have all the votes counted until next Tuesday.

As soon as the count was finalized, Hodgins made his request.

But elections dont come free. It typically costs about $35,000 to hire poll workers, create ballots, set up voting machines and pay all the other expenses that go along with holding an election.

Hodgins, though, believes that a second primary will be worth the money.

To tell you the truth, the reason why Im going to face a runoff if I can is because Im going in with no experience as a law officer, and this sheriff boy Im going to be running against has been in there for years. Four votes aint that much apart for one with experience and one with no experience, said Hodgins, referencing the vote tally as of May 7.

More here:
Republican runoff called in Jackson sheriff race

Direct Democracy Protest
Direct democracy doesn #39;t change the political structure of the country, it merely alters who has the final decision making power! Currently citizens get one vote every few years and their politicia...

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Direct Democracy Protest - Video

[FREE eBook] Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East
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[FREE eBook] Temptations of Power: Islamists and Illiberal Democracy in a New Middle East - Video

GMN - U.S.G. Alumna Promotes Democracy (May 12, 2014)
U.S.G. Alumna, Naita Haishoono, discussed the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID) support for the Namibia election.

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GMN - U.S.G. Alumna Promotes Democracy (May 12, 2014) - Video