NORWICH – The Chenango County Republican Committee hosted the 36th annual Lobsterfest on Sunday, drawing more than 500 community members together with elected officials and candidates from offices at the federal, state and county levels.
“The most non-political of political events,” said Republican Committee Chairman Tom Morrone in describing the event. Morrone is the longest running party chairman in the state.
The event was held beneath a clear blue sky at the Canasawacta Country Club and serves as the committee’s sole fundraiser for the year.
For $60 a ticket, patrons received two lobsters, an open bar, a complete buffet and four hours of casual access to some of the most predominant Republicans in the state.
Among those in attendance this year were: Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio; Harry Wilson, who is vying for the office of state comptroller; Bruce A. Blakeman, the Republican front-runner challenging Kirsten Gillibrand for her Senate seat in November; Dan Donovan candidate for Attorney General; and Richard Hanna, who will challenge Mike Arcuri once more for the honor of representing New York’s 24th Congressional District. Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Gary Berntsen also attended the event and will be challenging Chuck Schumer for his seat.
Also in attendence were state Senators Tom Libous and Jim Seward, as well as Assemblymen Cliff Crouch, Gary Finch and Pete Lopez, all endorsed for office. The man who originally started the tradition in the mid-70s, former Assemblyman Clarence “Rapp” Rappleyea, also attended.
“I don’t come here for the lobster; I can get that at home. The reason we’re here today is to meet with the people of Chenango County – to reach out to them and hear what they have to say,” said Hanna, the 24th congressional district contender.
“We were very fortunate in getting so many representatives. Just about every major Republican candidate for office is here to meet with the people of Chenango County today,” said Morrone yesterday.
Lobsterfest is known to draw people from all over Chenango as well as from neighboring counties and across party lines, he said.
