To my dear friends and colleagues,

Through the years of my involvement in the Republican Party I have gotten to know
most of you.

It is with a great deal of pain that I have to write to you, but I have no other choice.

The Albany County Republican Committee has now become the “Party of
Exclusion”, blocking a viable candidate from being considered or interviewed for a position
as a candidate in our district. Here is how it happened:

Several months ago, after conversation with Dan Farrell I asked him that I be added
to the list of those interested in running for Congress.

Mr. Farrell requested from me the sum of $1,000.00 towards a “Poll/Survey”. Once
the poll results were received, its contents were to be shared with all the candidates and with
the County committees.

Just over a month ago, I began asking Mr. Farrell of the status of the promised
interviews and again the results of the polls. Becoming highly suspicious of Mr. Farrell’s
lack of answers and evasive comments, I began keeping a log of my phone calls to the
Albany County Republican Committee Executive Director.

It is embarrassing to tell you that Mr. Farrell, never, ever shared the poll with me or
allowed me to read it. This was done in spite of numerous phone calls made to Mr. Farrell
even up to a day before the interviews took place.

At no time was I ever contacted to appear before the various County Chairmen who
compose the district’s Nominating Committee.

You can imagine my surprise when at an Independence Party political function I was
told that Mr. Ted Danz of Guilderland was the hand picked sole candidate of the Albany
County Republican’s Chair and Executive Director. This was in spite of “mucho” phone calls
from me to be interviewed. In a democracy, someone wanting to seek an office should have
at least the opportunity to be interviewed - especially someone who has been a loyal and
dedicated member of the Party as I have been. Not even a phone call from Mr. Farrell or Mr.
Graziano was given to me.

At a recent book signing by Karl Rove, Mr. Rove spoke of the need for diversity. He
spoke of how the composition of our Party should be diversified. Somehow that did not
and does not apply to the Albany County Republican Committee.

Sadly enough, after calling several other County Chairs, I learned my name was
never mentioned to them, and was blocked from consideration by the Albany County
Republican Committee’s Executive Director.
 Mr. Graziano Sr. met with me for breakfast to discuss this problem. He steadfastly
swears he had “no knowledge of this” although he remembered my check for $1,000.00 and
my name appearing in the aforementioned poll.

What has happened to our local Republican Party? While we see a rebirth of our
philosophies and values being embraced nationally, we see our local Party insulting and
blocking those who have worked for the Party.

Several other Republican County Chairmen have expressed concern of my exclusion

from the process. They wonder as I have …….. why?

By comparison, the Independence Party and Mr. Caputo proudly welcomed me as a

candidate and interviewed me. What a gratifying feeling to know my reception by them was
genuine. Unlike our Republican Club, I was given a warm reception and allowed to
participate in the process.

It is my understanding the Conservative Party will be welcoming my participation in

their process as well. Again, Mr. Richard Stack has endorsed me in the past.

I have asked John Graziano Jr. to find someone in the District to cover for me as I,
under the circumstances will not gather petitions.

At the risk of tooting my own horn, I challenge you to find anyone else who has
done as much work in our community and in our Party and who has local, State and National
awards for said involvements.

Aside from some finger pointing, I have not heard of a viable solution to correct this
problem. THERE HASN’T BEEN A TRUTHFUL REASON OFFERED AS TO WHY MR.
FARRELL BLOCKED ME FROM THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE COUNTY CHAIRS.

It is my sincere hope the body of the Albany County Republican Committee will rise
up and rebuke the Chairman and Executive Director directing them to find an equitable
solution to this problem advising them of the “complete process of interviews” should have
been conducted fairly.

Very truly yours,

Joseph A. Gomez

AlbCoRC