The Genesee County Conservative Party has rescinded their endorsement of Dr. George Vito in a statement from Conservative Party Chairwoman Julie Carasone.
“Due to circumstances beyond our knowledge, we are rescinding our endorsement for Dr. George Vito. We wish him the very best luck in the future.”
UPDATE: by Mike Pettinella-
Andrew Lathan, chair of the Le Roy Republican Committee, said Dr. Vito was “open and candid” about his past legal troubles, which included a malpractice judgment against him, at the county committee meeting, adding that the foot doctor shared “a long and personal story” with the group.
Dr. Vito (as well as incumbent Rochelle Stein) was not endorsed by the Le Roy Republicans due to missing a deadline.
Lathan said he planned to talk with Vito again to discuss any future plans.
A phone call to Dr. Vito on Thursday afternoon was not returned.
Contacted on Thursday afternoon, Scott German, Genesee County Republican Committee chair, said Dr. Vito mentioned his past legal issues while practicing medicine in Georgia when speaking to the committee earlier this week.
When asked if he thought those issues were a factor in Vito not being endorsed, he responded, “That would be my belief, yes.”
German said it’s too late for endorsements but noted that any registered Republican would be eligible to run for the legislature seat.
“They would have to pass their own petitions now or get help,” he said. “The filing (deadline) for that is early April.”
He said he figures any potential candidate would need to gather 90 signatures from registered Republicans to get on the ballot in November. He said the exact number will be released by state officials on Feb. 20.
Previously:
GENESEE COUNTY/Conservative Party announces endorsements – Video News Service