Rep. Bill Owens became the first statewide candidate to file his petitions to get on the ballot for re-election.

The Plattsburgh Democrat filed 240 pages of signatures.

Meanwhile, Republican Matt Doheny is making a last-minute push for Independence Party signatures. I'm told that St. Lawrence County GOP officials are requesting that their party faithful provide transportation to the Doheny campaign and its notaries so they can get Independence Party signatures.

Candidates must get a certain number of signatures from registered party members to get on the party's ballot; those signatures have to be witnessed either by a party member or by a notary public.

The Independence Party has already pledged its line to Mr. Doheny, but he still needs the signatures to get on the ballot.

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