Official for Conservatives: Endorsement lost over Democratic ties, not IDA issue By Jenny Lee-Adrian • Poughkeepsie Journal • July 26, 2009

Two years ago, the Dutchess County Conservative Party endorsed Doxsey, 54, for District 1. This year, Doxsey’s opponent, Republican Robert Gorman, 47, received the endorsement instead.

Doxsey said he thinks Conservative Party Chairwoman Patricia Killian denied him an interview a few weeks ago because he voted to replace her husband, Henry Killian, on the Industrial Development Agency board.

Doxsey acknowledged Patricia Killian did not actually tell him the IDA vote was the reason, but he still felt that was why he was denied an interview seeking an endorsement.

“I’m still a Conservative,” Doxsey said. He said he will run on the Conservative ballot in the September primary.

Patricia Killian said the decision has nothing to do with the IDA board vote.

“Our decision not to support Jim Doxsey was long before that particular vote came up,” Killian said.

Killian pointed out Doxsey caucused with the Democratic majority of the Legislature and began the process to switch to the Democratic Party.

Before his party enrollment change became official in January 2009, Doxsey chose to stay a Conservative.

Based on Doxsey’s actions and legislative votes, Killian said, “Jim is a registered Conservative on paper.”

According to the New York State Conservative Party Web site, the 2009 priorities are tax reform and relief.

“I represent the taxpayers, not the political bosses,” Doxsey said. “That is how I do my job for the public interest.”

Although Doxsey has focused on the IDA board, Killian said the vote doesn’t matter now since the new members haven’t been seated and her husband is still on the board.

Democratic legislative leaders and Republican County Executive William Steinhaus disagree over whether the March appointments were valid or not.

Doxsey has been endorsed by the Democratic Party, the Independence Party and the Working Families Party. He is a retired owner of an auto repair shop.

In the primary, Doxsey will face off against Gorman, a Republican, on the Independence, Working Families and Conservative lines.

Gorman was aware Killian denied Doxsey an interview. But Gorman said he never had the chance to interview with the Independence Party.