Republican Joe Torres above, and Democrat Emiljana Ulaj are two BOL candidates who could win election Nov. 5
By Dan Murphy
The Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortion, WCLA, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, with its goal “to keep abortion legal and to ensure that all women, regardless of age, race, class, status, geography or ability to pay, have full, unimpeded access to reproductive health care.”
Through the work of the WCLA’s PAC, the Westchester County Board of Legislators currently has a 15-2 democratic super majority. And all 15 of those democrats on the county board are pro-choice and have the support of WCLA PAC.
But over the past few months, in dozens of email blasts, WCLA PAC has been warning its supporters that “Anti-choice extremists are on the ballot right here in Westchester, running for NYS Supreme Court and for the County Board of Legislators. Their goal is to take over our courts and County government – and they’re gunning to take Westchester’s clinic access legislation to the US Supreme Court which could result in destroying safe access to abortion not just here in Westchester, but in states across the country.”
“Right now the polls are neck-and-neck – but in election years like this one, with no top-of-the-ticket races, it will all come down to turnout. If enough voters are manipulated by anti-choice candidates’ lying slanderous ads, our chances of holding the County government will plummet.”
In requesting a contribution, WCLA PAC claims that “Remember: Anti-abortion candidates only need to FLIP 7 pro-choice seats to take control of the County Board.” “THERE ARE 9 SEATS IN PLAY!” or “8 seats are in play!”
We decided to take a look and figure out if there was any chance of republicans taking control of the Westchester Board of Legislators on Nov. 7.
There are 17 seats on the Westchester BOL. Republicans are running candidates in 10 districts:
District 1- Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown: Republican Joe Torres vs Legislator Colin Smith, democrat. This is a rematch from 2021, when Smith narrowly won, 52%-48%. Torres is a former member of the Peekskill Common Council and is a small business owner. He is running an active campaign, including a campaign video and a good social media effort.
Legislator Smith is also campaigning hard. Two years ago, Smith had George Latimer running for reelection as County Executive on the top of the ticket. This year there are no Big Name races for President, Governor or County Executive on the ballot. There are some local elections that will have an impact on turnout. Torres has a chance to flip.
District 3 – Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville: Legislator Margaret Cunzio. Cunzio, a registered Conservative, is serving her fourth, 2-year term. Two years ago, Cunzio defeated democrat David Vinjamuri by a 57%-43% margin. She is running unopposed.
District 4-New Castle, Somers, Yorktown: Republican Dan Branda vs Democratic Chair of the Board, Legislator Vedat Gashi. Gashi is well known in Westchester and his political star is on the rise. But Branda is making a contest of it, and has been active in the media opposing democrats on crime statistics and other hot-button issues. Yorktown has a contested race for Supervisor and Town Board, which could increase turnout in this race. If Branda wins, look for a good night for republicans countywide.
District 7 – Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye: Republican Katie Manger vs Legislator Catherine Parker, democrat. Manger is an attorney who has lived in the Sound Shore for 18 years. Parker is a well known and popular legislator. Tough one for the republicans to flip.
District 9- Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Ossining, Peekskill: Legislator Catherine Borgia is term limited from running again, making this an open seat. Republican Laurie Abbate-Ryan is on the ballot but not running an active campaign. Democrat Emiljana Ulaj is a Union Organizer and former Staff member to State Senator Shelley Mayer. No republican pick up here.
District 10 –Eastchester, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle: Republican Beth Acocella vs democrat Judah Goldstein. This is an open seat, with Legislator Damon Maher deciding to run for New Rochelle Mayor. This is another race to watch on election night. Republicans need to flip this seat. Both Acocella and Goldstein are actively campaigning.
The district is one of the most evenly divided based on party enrollment. Republican Sheila Marcotte represented the district. Turnout in republican strong Eastchester will be important for Acocella to get enough votes. Democrat rich New Rochelle will be voting for Goldstein, who was born and raised in New Rochelle, and is a software company owner. Acocella is also a lifelong New Rochelle resident, realtor and New Rochelle Library Board Trustee.
District 11 – New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor: Republican John Hynes vs Legislator Terry Clements, democrat. Not a lot of information on Pelham resident Hynes. Clements won election twice in this heavy democratic district. Another tough one for republican to take.
District 15 – Bronxville, Yonkers: Legislator James Nolan vs democrat Ruth Walter. This is another rematch; Nolan beat Walter two years ago. Walter, a former legislator, wants her job back, but Nolan will knock on as many doors as possible up to election day. Another very close race to watch.
District 16 – Republican Debbie Kozak vs democrat Shanae Williams. This is an open seat after Legislator Christopher Johnson resigned. Williams is a Yonkers Councilwoman in a large part of this district. She almost upset County Clerk in a democratic primary two years ago. Kozak is running an active campaign. In a heavy democratic district.
– District 17 – Republican Jose Diaz vs Legislator Jose Alvarado. Diaz is running an active campaign as a Latino Republican, in a heavy democratic district. Alvarado serves as the Majority Leader on the county board.
Best case scenario has 5 Republicans winning election on Nov. 7. (Nolan, Cunzio, Torres, Branda, Acocella). If there is some type of republican wave in NY and in Westchester (less likely) than another two seats are possible long shots-maybe an upset win for Diaz over Alvarado, or Hynes over Clements.
But that best case get us to 10-7 democrat.
We do not agree with the WCLA PAC that the County Board is in play for pro-life republicans. Another interesting fact. In speaking with Branda, we found out that he is a Buddhist, and may not have any interest in overturning the county’s clinic access law.
If I asked you who the last republican Chair of the BOL was? George Oros, in 1998.
