Fulton County Democrats to host 21st Congressional District forum

Former MSNBC and CNBC host, author and businessman Dylan Ratigan, who announced last week that he is considering a run for Congress, is expected Thursday at a Fulton County Democratic Committee forum, party officials said.

If he attends, Ratigan will join the nine other Democrats seeking the 21st Congressional District seat held by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro.

Ratigan is scheduled to make an announcement about his plans at noon Wednesday in Saranac Lake, his hometown.

The forum will start at 6 p.m. at the Johnstown-Gloversville Holiday Inn on state Route 30A and is open to the public regardless of political party, county Democratic Committee Chairman Edmund C. Jasewicz said.

Following a question-and-answer segment, “each attendee will be given ballots to vote on their choice for candidate,” Jasewicz said.

In addition to Ratigan’s potential candidacy, the Democratic candidates are David Mastrianni of Saratoga Springs, Don Boyajian of Cambridge, Tedra Cobb of Canton, Tanya Boone of Granville, Sara Idleman of Greenwich, Katie Wilson of Keene, Patrick Nelson of Stillwater, Ronald Kim of Queensbury and Emily Martz of Saranac Lake. All have appeared at a series of forums around the district, which stretches from north Saratoga and Fulton counties to the Canadian border.

The event will be taking place as the first step in winnowing down the field approaches: The circulation of nominating petitions will start March 6, with petitions due to be filed between April 9 and 12. If there is a congressional primary, it will be June 26.