NORWICH – The Chenango Republican County Committee held a meeting Wednesday to vote on endorsing Republican primary winner, Michael J. Genute, for Norwich City Judge, but the group was unable to hold a vote and attending members instead offered their congratulations to the candidate.

“The Chenango Republican County Committee met October 18 at 7 p.m. The meeting, which was not open to the public, was held at the Norwich Town Hall. A quorum was not present. No official business was conducted. Without a quorum, a formal endorsement for Mike Genute, the winner of the Republican Primary, was not possible,” said the group in a statement issued by Committee Member Matthew Caldwell after the meeting.

This is the second time in October the committee has scheduled a meeting to vote on endorsing Genute and were unable to get enough members to attend for a vote. Republican Chairman Tom Morrone, who was also at the meeting, explained that in order to hold a vote 51 percent of the members were needed under election laws.

Committee Secretary Sheila Marshman said 17 members showed up for Wednesday's meeting, and many of those present congratulated Genute.

“The city members of the Chenango Republican County Committee that were present want to extend their congratulations to Mike Genute,” stated Matthew Caldwell after the meeting. "The city representatives congratulate Mike Genute as our candidate for city court judge.”