ALBANY, N.Y. -- In recalling the Albany County District Attorney's race back in 2004, Republican Roger Cusick quotes legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi.
“He's quoted as saying I never lost a game, I just ran out of time,” Cusick said. “And my impression of the 2004 election was exactly that. That David Soares was elected not because he won the election, but because we ran out of time in presenting our case to the public.”
“Soares' campaign rebuts saying quote, 'we won because the voters of Albany County supported Soares' aggressive reform agenda,'” said Karen Scharff, a spokesperson for David Soares’ campaign.
“He's made the office of the Albany County District Attorney a laughing stock, in the state and in the country,” Cusick said.
This time, Cusick's decision to run didn't come until after GOP Chairman John Graziano Sr. took control of the party in late July. The deadline to run as a Republican had passed, so Republicans formed the Integrity Party line. It's name takes a not-so-subtle jab at what they say Soares lacks.
For months, he's been running unopposed. But now it seems Albany County District Attorney David Soares will have a challenger in his bid for re-election. Our Britt Godshalk spoke exclusively with the man who has his eyes on DA's office and it's not the first time.
In a statement, Soares says he's brought integrity back to the criminal justice system, but Cusick says he has plenty of evidence to the contrary, beginning with comments the DA made back in 2006 while on a visit to Canada where he suggested police profited from America's War on Drugs.
“That's where it started and it ended as recently as two weeks ago with the comptroller's report of the mishandling of $300,000 in the office of the District Attorney,” said Cusick.
Cusick also blasts Soares for leaving the state to pursue a national steroid investigation.
“While he was out chasing ball players down for steroid violations, we were having shootings and gun problems here in the streets of Albany,” said Cusick.
...And for his handling of the Troopergate scandal.
“He took Governor Spitzer's word for something. And took the employee and assistants of Governor Spitzer's word for things and then white-washed it,” said Cusick. “A grand jury can indict, it can also report, and that would have put the thing to rest.”
But his sharpest sword was the submission of more than 2,100 signatures to get on the ballot.
The public has three days to object to any of Cusick's signatures. Barring that, the Republican says he not only will oppose a once un-opposed candidate, he says he intends to beat him.