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The Franklin County Democratic Committee in recent years has been the beneficiary of donations from an unusual source: Republican state lawmakers.
State Sen. Betty Little, R-Queensbury, and Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, R-Peru, sponsor the party's golf tournament every July. Democrats are the majority in Franklin County and on the Franklin County Legislature.
Since 2010, Sen. Little's committee donated $1,000 to the Democratic Party in Franklin County. She has donated much more to Republican candidates and causes.
Mrs. Duprey's committee donated $300 to the party.
Daniel MacEntee, Sen. Little's spokesman, said that it was a sign of his boss's pragmatism.
"She has a long record of working with people from both parties," Mr. MacEntee said. "I think her effectiveness in Albany certainly reflects that willingness and interest in finding agreement and compromise on many issues, regardless of political affiliation."
Mr. MacEntee said that Sen. Little has worked closely with the Democratic majority on the county Legislature.
"It's probably more of a reflection of a personal relationship than anything political or partisan," Mr. MacEntee said.
Said Mrs. Duprey: "I think it’s part of what makes the north country unique, is that we work in a bipartisan manner, and I’m delighted that the Franklin County Democratic Party has asked me to join them at several of their events."