GRAHAMSVILLE, NY — Kenneth Walter, a local government critic and member of the Sullivan County Charter Review Commission and the Sullivan County Ethics Review Committee, announced on June 24 he is withdrawing from the primary race to become the Democratic candidate for county legislator from District Three.

Walter cited concerns over the appearance of a conflict between his candidacy and his position on county committees. He said, “While I have no doubt of my ability and integrity to conduct the responsibilities of these two positions while conducting a political campaign, there have been those who have expressed concern over the appearance of such activities.”

He continued, “I consider my work on the county charter and in the area of ethics to be too important to have anyone question my integrity or the integrity of the committee and commission on which I serve. As a consequence of advisory opinions from Steve Aquario of the New York State Association of Counties and the Sullivan County Attorney’s office, I have decided to continue the work I have started, necessitating my withdrawal from the legislative race.”