Liz Fried Issues Statement in Connection with Shari Rackman Complaint

The following is a statement from Liz Fried following Friday’s ruling in her favor in the complaint filed by Shari Rackman concerning the 6th Council District race in New Rochelle:

This morning, the Fair Campaign Practices Committee issued a ruling finding that language used by the Liz Fried campaign in the 6th Council District of New Rochelle was fair. In response to the ruling, Liz Fried issued the following statement:

“I am gratified but not surprised that the Fair Campaign Practices Committee has confirmed that our campaign statements have been fair. As a former President of the League of Women Voters of New Rochelle, I’ve been particularly aware of the need to keep our campaign above board.

“As Ms. Rackman has felt this campaign slip away from her, she’s launched a series of increasingly bizarre and inflammatory Hail Mary’s. In this particular case, the facts were so blindingly obvious to everyone else that I was shocked Ms. Rackman challenged them. Instead of matching her increasingly reckless rhetoric, I will continue to talk calmly, openly and honestly about the issues facing New Rochelle and the Sixth District.”

The Fried campaign is focused this weekend on an extensive “get out the vote” effort across the entire 6th Council District.

In accordance with FCPC rules, the entirety of its ruling is reproduced below:

COMPLAINT:
Ms. Rackman complained that the use of the language “Endorsed by the Democratic Party” on numerous pieces of campaign materials for Liz Fried, as well as the statement, “Liz won the Democratic designation over incumbent Shari Rackman at a recent convention…,” were misleading because no such vote was called for, or tallied, at the New Rochelle Democratic Convention on May 6, 2015. She further contends that Ms. Fried was endorsed by the New Rochelle Democratic Committee, not by the Democratic Party.
FINDING: Fair
The minutes of the May 6, 2015 meeting of the New Rochelle Democratic Convention state that Liz Fried was, “designated by the Committee as the Democratic Party Candidate for City Council District 6 of the New Rochelle City Council.” This designation stands until the primary election, at which time it may be upheld or overturned.