Appeals court rules in favor of Williams, clearing the way for Republican primary in First LD

First Legislative District candidate Greg Williams is back on the ballot in next month’s Republican Party primary election.

Williams, of Cutchogue, will face Catherine Stark of Riverhead, who is the county Republican committee’s designee, in the June 27 primary election.

An appellate court panel in Brooklyn yesterday granted Williams’ appeal, setting aside a Suffolk County trial court’s May 3 order that knocked him off the ballot.

In a decision dated May 10, following oral arguments, held that the trial court erred in invalidating Williams’ designating petition on grounds of fraud.

“…Stark failed to meet her burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that the designating petition was permeated with fraud or that Williams participated in or was chargeable with knowledge of any fraud,” the appeals court ruled.

Williams was thrilled with the news, but said he was not surprised.

“The truth has prevailed,” he said.

“This proves that there is no place in our district for lies, wrongful accusations, dirty tricks and fake news,” he said via . “Voters now will have a choice between me and an opponent who has ineptly done all of those things.”

Williams vowed to “work tirelessly, first to win this election and then to serve my constituents.”

Stark said today she has always been and remains “focused on meeting voters and earning their trust and support.”

She referred to the legal action she brought to bar Williams from the ballot as “the tools used by the Republican Party to ensure proper elections.”

“I have approached this race in one way: to run hard and continue delivering for the people of the First District,” Stark said.

She said she is “proud to be the only officially endorsed candidate of the Republican and Conservative parties…” and is committed to winning the election.