Assemblyman Mike Lawler solidified his lead in a crowded GOP field for Congress in NY-17 when he picked up the support of Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater and Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville at the Putnam County Courthouse on June 9.
“I held my East of Hudson campaign kickoff. I was proud to be joined by Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville, Putnam County Clerk Michael Bartolotti, and Yorktown Supervisor Matthew Slater – who will all be announcing their endorsement of my campaign for New York’s 17th Congressional District. Their support and endorsement means a great deal to me as we head towards a very competitive general election. With news breaking that #NY17 has been rated a ‘toss-up’ race, we are confident that we will win this November and oust Sean Patrick Maloney,” Tweeted Lawler.
The news that Lawler is referring to is Realclearpolitics moving NY-17 into the tossup category, meaning the Lawler, or whoever the repubilcan nominee is, has a good chance of defeating the incumbent, democratic congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.
Three other republicans want to win the GOP primary in NY-17 and face off against Maloney in November. They are Somers Town Councilman William Faulkner, Rockland County Legislator Charles Falciglia, Orange County businessman Jack Schrepel.
Faulkner was the GOP nominee to run for Congress in NY-16, against Rep. Jamaal Bowman. But after the courts changed the boundaries of NY-16, and moved it into mid-southern Westchester, Faulkner declined to run for a seat in Congress where he does not live. Instead he has chosen to run in NY-17, which is the district that now includes Somers.
We spoke to Faulkner who said that he intends to run in the Republican primary for NY-17 on August 23, but left his options open after that. Currently, there is no republican candidate to challenge Bowman in NY-16, except for a “placeholder” republican who is expected to be replaced later in the summer or fall.
Many republicans in Westchester view Faulkner as a rising star, and someone who could run for countywide office in the future. That is why many Westchester republicans want him to run against Bowman in NY-16, because as one GOP leader told us, “it would help Bill with his name recognition in southern Westchester if he chooses to run for County Executive in the future.”
Apparently, there may be a mechanism this year to remove one candidate for Congress and replace him or her with another candidate, without that candidate moving out of state or dying.
Lawler’s advantage in the race for Congress in NY-17 is that he is well known, and represents Rockland County in the Assembly. Rep. Maloney has not represented Rockland County during his 10 years representing northern Westchester county, Putnam County, and the Hudson Valley.