September 06, 2002

DuBois gets GOP chair's nod

By John-Henry Doucette
Times Herald-Record
jdoucette@th-record.com

Goshen - The head of the Orange County Republican Party yesterday crossed the party's endorsed candidate for sheriff.

Chairman John S. Hicks endorsed Carl DuBois, a former Mount Hope judge who is challenging two-term incumbent Sheriff Frank Bigger.

Standing next to DuBois, Hicks spoke during a press conference at the Orange Inn with members of the Independence and Conservative parties.

Bigger and DuBois meet Tuesday in a GOP primary.

"There is a time in the life of a chairman where you have to draw a line in the sand," Hicks said.

"I'm drawing my line in the sand today … I'm proud to stand here today to support the best candidate for Orange County sheriff.

"I give my wholehearted support and endorsement to Carl DuBois."

Bigger, who was nominated as a Republican candidate in May, blasted the chairman. He has accused Hicks of working to unseat him from the start of the campaign.

"All along he's been on DuBois' side," he said. "I don't think it hurts me at all.

"[Hicks] is an embarrassment to the party."

Hicks called for Bigger to step aside last month after campaign shenanigans led to a court fight over Bigger's bogus signature petitions for the Independence Party line in November's election.

A criminal probe has been launched into Bigger's campaign on the heels of the botched attempt to gain the line.

Yesterday, a chief organizer in the county's Independence Party also endorsed DuBois.

"I'll admit [my endorsement] comes from a preference for Carl and absolute aversion to Frank Bigger," said Harry Ross, a Wallkill resident and Independence Party activist. "How many blind eyes does Sheriff Bigger have to turn?

"This is about not rewarding this level of political skullduggery."

Bigger dismissed Ross' criticism.

"[Ross] can endorse who he wants to endorse."