In response to the letter Michele Ianello sent out, Joanne L. Capone wrote this message back to her:
Hi Michele,
Thanks for the info.
However, Dan received the endorsement from the Committee in Amherst and I believe that should mean something.
He should have the use of the headquarters because he garnered the endorsement. Your reason for stepping aside from the vote was for the sake of your family. Now you claim it was really for other reasons.
I strongly believe that family should come first. Dan has served Amherst Democrats for a long time. He deserves the support because of his loyalty to the local party and his credentials.
You have time on your side to seek higher office at a later date.
There are many people on the Committee who are uncomfortable with the current situation. If you were to use the Headquarters, then each candidate for the office for both the Senate and Congress could make a claim for its use. As the County stood down from making an endorsement…the Amherst endorsement should now take the lead.
You originally asked for the Amherst endorsement. Then you decided not to pursue it. The speculation as to whether you would have won is now moot. You controlled the decision….no one else. It is troublesome to me that your public position to the Committee is at odds with what you now say occurred. You were not forthright with us.
Dan worked hard to win the vote. No one should now take that away from him in my opinion.
The membership should not be divided on this issue and the policy going forward should reflect that. We do not need a civil war and hard feelings. The individual who wins the primary would then be able to receive broad support. You can base your operation in the areas you received an endorsement and Dan can do likewise.
Joanne
Joanne L. Capone
Vice President
NYS Democrats for Life
Executive Director
Capone-DeSimone Institute for Peace and Social Justice
Executive Director
Western New York Political Consortium