The candidate who pulled the fewest votes of five Democratic challengers in the September primary in the 21st Congressional District has now launched a write-in campaign for the general election.

Joseph Sullivan announced the move in a news release and an entry in his blog at http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/.

Here is the complete text of Sullivan's announcement:

To The Voters, 21st Congressional District,

We may be living through the last days of America. Our mutual and national survival hinge on who we elect to the Presidency, Vice- Presidency and Congress on November 4.

Make the effort to become as fully , and accurately, informed as possible before you cast your decisive votes.

The dust of the past party primary season has settled. We know who the party nominees are. Beyond that we must sort through all the rhetoric, hype and spin, in an effort to determine which candidates offer the best hope for our survival in a troubled world and troubled times.

We must look closely at the candidates to judge whether or not they measure up to dealing effectively with the challenges we face. Sadly, most contests for political office, come down to choosing the divil you know, rather than the one you don't. One thing for sure, this is no time for on the job training.

The economy has taken center stage in the closing weeks of campaign 2008. However, national security remains the priority issue and principle responsiblity of the next President, Vice President and Congress.

If we are not secure, the economy will collapse, civil disorder and anarchy will follow, and America, as we have known it, will cease to exist.

Our enemies are circling us like sharks in the water. Radical Jihadists have come to dwell amongst us, and are waiting to strike. We have failed to secure our borders, ports and nation.

Iran is continuing to acquire nuclear weapons and is poised to take over the Mid East oil fields when, and if, the U S military and naval forces withdraw. The U S can not withdraw so long as imported oil is the lifeblood of our economy. Russia is holding Europe hostage to oil and natural gas, while building air defense capability for Iran.

Russia and Iran have allied with Chavez of Venezuela and have the ability to place conventional missles there, that can reach any city in the U.S. and Canada.

For the past weeks, since the September 9 primary, I have spent most of my time working in the garden, walking Mick and Paddy, observing the change from summer to fall, and reflecting on life.
Change happens and we adapt to survive.

All the while, I have kept an eye on what the party nominees for Congress in the 21st Congressional District have done or not done, said or not said.

I analyzed the primary results. Paul Tonko won the five-way Democratic Primary with 38 percent of the vote. About 24 percent of eligible Democrats voted. 76 percent did not.

Congressional Quarterly rates the 21st District as a safe Democratic seat because of the party enrolment edge. CQ notes that 21st District Democrats are largely conservative. There are 174,000 Democrats in the 21st Congressional District.

However, there are more than 400,000 voters in the 21st Congressional District who are eligible to vote in the November 4 General Election.

Paul Tonko, the Democratic Party nominee, has, thus far gotten 9 percent of that eligible district vote. Paul has not changed his tune on any issues since the primary. Look at his website . Do you agree with his issue priorities and stands?

It is obvious that Paul is the candidate of special interests and party partisans; that he is coasting toward a November 4 win based on keeping a low profile and relying on a Democratic Partyline vote.

The circumstances and challenges we face call for putting America first before political party on November 4.

Therefore, I make myself available as a write in candidate for Congress 21st District, thereby giving all 400,000 plus 21st District voters an alternative candidate to vote for.

All that is necessary, is for each of you to study the 3 years of postings on my website: http://lonerangeralbany.blogspot.com/, compare it with the websites of Paul Tonko and Jim Buhrmaster for Congress, in terms of priorities and stands on issues, and
cast your votes.

Casting a write-in vote is easy. See http://www.pullthis.com/Use.htm . When you go to your polling place, study the posted election ballot and instructions. If you need assistance, ask the election inspectors to show you how to do a write-in vote. Fear not, this is America, still, the election inspectors are there, not to represent parties, but to insure fair elections.

Be sure to take a number 2 pencil to the poll, and to make sure that you lift the slide and write in (print) my name ... JOSEPH P SULLIVAN ... in the correct column for Congress. NOTE: some polls have Shoup voting machines with vertical columns, like the City of Albany. The write-in slots are to the left side of the machine. Other polls have AVM voting machines, where the write-in slots are at the top.

Absentee and Military ballots provide for write-in votes also.

When you write in my name, you are sending a message that you support the positions I have taken on the priority issues in campaign 2008.

We win when we help to shape the thoughts, outlooks and actions of those who purport to represent us in government.

Thank you.

Joseph P. Sullivan

For complete local election coverage, including a list of all local races, a link to find your polling place and biographies and video Q&As for candidates for state and federal offices, visit DailyGazette.com's special election section at www.dailygazette.com/elections.