The challenge to Abinanti, who has served for the past 12 years in the Assembly, by Shimsky caught a lot of political watchers by surprise when she made her announcement, citing Abinanti’s stances on vaccination and her support for progressive values. Shimsky won a mini-convention held between the two and also has the endorsement of the Working Family Party. Abinanti has pushed back on the anti-vax accusations and has received a number of endorsements from Unions, both in Westchester and across the state.
The two have each received a number of endorsements, from Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner endorsing Abinanti to Shimsky’s democratic colleagues on the county board supporting her campaign. Whoever turns our their supporters should win.
Another competitive race is in the 95th district, which includes Ossining, Peekskill, Cortlandt and parts of Putnam County. Longtime Assemblywoman Sandy Galef announced her retirement at the end of this term, resulting in an open seat and four democrats seeking to replace her.
They are: former Peekskill Councilmembers and activits Vanessa Agudelo, County Legisaltor Colin Smith, Ossining Supervisor Dana Levenberg and former Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey. Rainey was knocked off the ballot for unsufficient petitions, leaving three candidates.
Agudelo has received high profile, progressive endorsements from AOC, and Cynthia Nixon. She also has the support of the Working Families Party.
Smith is looking to move up in the middle of his second term on the Westcheter County Board. Levenberg served in Galef’s office before being elected in Ossining.
The third democratic primary in Westchester for Assembly is in the 89th District in Mt. Vernon and a part of Yonkers. Longtime incumbent Assemblyman Gary Pretlow is being challenged by Andrae Mitchell. Mitchell has served several nonprofits focused on youth programming, and in the NYC Department of Education under former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, working to implement a universal Pre-K program.
