GOP Challenger to Congressman Reed Fails to Receive Enough Support for Primary

Congressman Tom Reed (left) and Gary Perry

ALBANY – The Southern Tier man who made an effort to challenge Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) for the Republican Party endorsement did not have enough support to force a party primary.

That’s according to the Jamestown Post-Journal, which is reporting today that Tioga County resident Gary Perry did not have enough valid signatures on his petition. According to the report, Perry submitted 780 valid signatures, which was well short of the 1250 needed to force a primary.

The petitions were reviewed earlier this month by the state board of elections.

The decision allows Reed’s campaign to focus instead on November’s general election against Democratic challenger John Plumb of Lakewood.