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CANTON - Assemblywoman Janet L. Duprey, R-Peru, defeated two GOP primary challengers Thursday to move on to the general election, where she will have to beat two opponents again to hold on to her seat.
With all precincts reported in unofficial tallies Thursday evening, Mrs. Duprey took in 1,404 votes, to 916 votes for Plattsburgh educator Karen M. Bisso and 596 votes for Cadyville businessman David J. Kimmel.
But the Bisso campaign will continue on. Mrs. Bisso has the Conservative Party line in the general election. Timothy R. Carpenter, a Plattsburgh city councilman, has the Democratic line. Mrs. Dupreys victory Thursday night gives her the Republican line to round out a three-way race.
Mrs. Duprey rejected the Bisso campaigns suggestion that the results showed she was vulnerable. The Bisso campaign noted that the combination of her votes with Mr. Kimmels votes was more than Mrs. Dupreys votes.
I dont think Im vulnerable at all, Mrs. Duprey said. Im looking forward to the November race. I have a tremendous amount of bipartisan support.
Mrs. Bisso released a statement that suggested it was premature to determine the outcome of the Republican primary, but vowed to continue campaigning no matter what the final result was.
This race is far from over and it continues tomorrow! Mrs. Bisso said.
The Conservative Party, which usually endorses the Republican candidate in New York, ruled out a Duprey endorsement because she voted to approve gay marriage. The line went to Mrs. Bisso, a former volunteer for Douglas L. Hoffmans congressional campaigns on the partys line.
In previous years, Mrs. Duprey has defeated Democratic and Conservative opponents in the general election, though this year will bring two new opponents and also a new district that includes four St. Lawrence County towns.
Mrs. Duprey won the race despite losing to Mrs. Bisso in St. Lawrence County, 61-43. The new 115th Assembly District includes Piercefield, Hopkinton, Brasher and Lawrence.