In a surprise move on March 15, the Clarkson Republican Committee passed over incumbent supervisor Paul Kimball to support Christa Filipowicz as the party's candidate in the November election. Filipowicz is currently a town councilwoman.

Republican Committee member George Shaw said some of the comments from the 20-member committee in discussing Kimball's application for re-endorsement were that it was time for a change, a new approach was needed, and town Republicans wish to re-shape the vision of Clarkson's future.

Kimball said he intends to force a Republican primary to regain the party's endorsement. This summer he will have to circulate petitions and collect five percent of the town's registered Republicans' signatures to secure the primary race.

"I've already received tremendous support from people in the community," Kimball said. "Given my record and after talking to many residents in the past week, I feel confident that I'll be on the ballot in the primary."