June Primary to Decide Who Challenges Lawler
By Dan Murphy
The Westchester County Democratic Executive Committee met last week and declined to endorse a candidate for Congress in NY-17. Five Democrats are running to see who will face off against Congressman Mike Lawler in November in one of the most-watched races in the country.
Two of the leading democrats in the field, Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson and Army combat Veteran Cait Conley, both sought the committee’s endorsement. But with 50% required to win the endorsement, neither candidate reached that threshold, leaving democrats in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, and Dutchess counties to choose their own candidate when they vote on June 23.
A number of Westchester democrats at the meeting opposed making any endorsement. The other three democrats in the race, Effie Philips-Staley, Mike Sacks, and John Cappello, did not seek the endorsement.
Conley’s campaign has $1.5 million on hand, while Davidson has $858,000 on hand for the primary.
Meanwhile, local party endorsements have split as well: Rockland County Democrats have endorsed Davidson, while Dutchess and, most recently, Putnam County Democrats have backed Conley.
“In a race among strong Democratic candidates, Cait Conley has the x-factor that we think will give us the best chance to beat Mike Lawler in November,” said Jennifer Colamonico, Chair of the Putnam County Democratic Committee.
Both Davidson and Conley have received other endorsements, with Davidson receiving the Democratic committees of North Salem, Bedford, and Somers, while Conley has received endorsements from Ossining, Pound Ridge, and Lewisboro.
All five candidates recently participated in two forums: one at Haverstraw Town Hall on April 16 and another at Manhattanville College on April 9.
One sound view democrat said, “While I was very impressed by Cait’s military experience, I thought Beth Davidson demonstrated that she was the most complete candidate who would have the broadest appeal in the general election. She walked on stage with confidence and comfort, which came across in her focused, strong opening comments and answers to the questions. Both Effie & Cait did well, but Beth did a better job of showing why she would appeal not only to liberal democrats but moderate independents.”
Conley also recently received the endorsement from NYSUT, New York State United Teachers. “Who we elect right now will shape the future of our schools and communities. It’s critical that we send leaders to Washington who understand what’s at stake for public education and working families,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “NYSUT endorses candidates who have proven themselves as advocates who will push for the resources, respect, and opportunities our educators and students deserve. Supporting them ensures we continue moving forward, not backward.”
Westchester democrats we spoke to are split between Davidson and Conley. Some Westchester progressive democrats have also included Effie Philips-Staley, who also has the Working Families Party endorsement.
About Davidson: “Beth is a proven elected official who is more polished in the debates. She seems ready to debate Lawler. I think Beth is very likable and relatable to many suburban women in the district.”
About Coney: “Cait brings that combat experience to this race for Congress. I think she is the toughest candidate who will stand up to Lawler. Also, with recent victories coming for democrats from Veterans like Mikey Sherill and Governor VA, this is a winning playbook to work from.”
Davidson is more in line with the traditional wing of the democratic party, and her views reflect that.
Conley has expressed some interesting views, including on term limits. “We need term limits not just for the Supreme Court, but for Congress. No one should serve for a lifetime or even decades. If we actually want a government that represents the will of the people and responds to today’s challenges, we need new leadership, and that means term limits, and also term limits for the Supreme Court.”
Conley has also shared her personal experiences. “When we talk about the fight for equality, I’m clear about where I stand. This fight is deeply personal to me, as someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community and served under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I was putting my life on the line overseas while being denied my rights here at home. I will always fight for freedom and equality for all, and that is something I will never forget nor ever waver on.”
Conley has been endorsed by the Democratic majority for Israel, a pro-Israel lobbying group that overlaps with AIPAC in its spending.
While all five candidates have collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot, only one has had their petition challenged. Effie Philips-Staley has had her signature challenged by Congressman Mike Lawler, who has filed suit in state court to have her removed from the ballot.
