As deadline for primary petitions loom, one Congressional candidate files

The deadline to file for a spot on the Democratic primary ballot isn't until Thursday, but one candidate for the 21st Congressional seat isn't waiting.

Darius Shahinfar said Tuesday that his campaign had submitted 2,350 signatures to the New York State Board of Elections.

Candidates are required to submit 1,250 signatures by July 10th in order be placed on the ballot for the party primary.

Shahinfar, an attorney in Albany and a former aide to 20th District Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand, has made the Iraq war and property tax relief some of the more recurring issues in his platform; he's called for an end to the war and for an immediate property tax cap.

Other candidates still petitioning for a slot on the September 9th primary ballot include: former Hillary Clinton aide Tracey Brooks, executive director of the Pharmacists Society of New York Craig Burridge, Albany County legislator Phil Steck, military veteran Joe Sullivan, and realtor Arthur Welser and former Assemblyman Paul Tonko.

On the Republican side, coal business owner Jim Buhrmaster is continuing his bid for candidacy.