Barclay won't run to replace McHugh

Assemblyman William A. Barclay, R-Pulaski, has opted not to seek the Republican nomination for the 23rd Congressional District seat.

"Though I'd like to add to the dialogue at the federal level, with two young sons in elementary school, this is not the right time for my family and I," he said in a statement. "I also feel there is much more to do in the Assembly and look forward to continuing my work to change Albany."

Mr. Barclay, unsuccessful in a bid for the 48th Senate District seat in 2008, was considered a front-runner for the GOP nomination.

As Mr. Barclay was dropping out, two other hopefuls asked Monday to be considered by Republicans. They are Andrew Bisselle, Westport, a director of Camp Dudley YMCA Inc. and Bart S. Bonner, a Watertown businessman.

They join a field that already includes Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, Gouverneur; Alexandria Bay businessman Matthew A. Doheny; Waddington native Joshua A. Lynch; Oswego obstetrician/gynecologist Ronald V. Uva; Franklin County Legislator Paul A. Maroun, Tupper Lake; Lake Placid accountant Douglas L. Hoffman; and Essex County veterinarian Gary S. Cooke.

The nine candidates are expected to be in Hamilton County tonight to introduce themselves to Republican chairmen and committee members during the first of four regional meetings. The district's 11 chairmen are expected to pick a candidate July 22. The other meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Schneibles Inn, 6226 Lakeshore Road, Verona Beach; 6 p.m. July 14 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6338, 100 W. Main St., Gouverneur; and 6 p.m. July 16 at Plattsburgh Town Hall, 151 Banker Road, Plattsburgh.