By Dan Murphy
One of the few communities left in Westchester that has had republican leadership in recent years is the Village of Tuckahoe. Tuckahoe is part of the Town of Eastchester, that still has a dominant republican presence, thanks to the leadership of Supervisor Anthony Colavita.
But two weeks ago, Tuckahoe republicans lost a local election for trustee for the second consecutive time. get the results—and after decades of Republican control, Tuckhaoe now has a mayor and village board made up of four democrats and one independent.
Westchester political watchers are wondering if the results in Tuckahoe mean anything. The Board of Elections recently updated their enrollment numbers, which show an almost 3 to 1 democratic advantage.
306,000 registered Democrats in Westchester and 1,434 WFP
119,000 registered Republicans-7,200 Conservative
173,000 registered to another party or no party registration, independent
The model for Westchester republicans has always been get moderate independent voters to make up the enrollment difference. One of those independent residents is Mike Dardano from Tuckahoe. For the recent election in Tuckahoe, Dardano tried to get both parties to agree to participate in a debate.
Apparently, many republicans believe that the League of Women Voters, LWV, is biased towards democratic candidates, so some republicans have declined to participate in LWV debates. Other republican candidates have been reluctant to debate in any forum, either for a lack of debating experience or nerves.
Dardano was disappointed that republicans decided not to debate. “The Republicans didn’t want to debate. They are not comfortable with public speaking but that is part of the job as a politician. I moderated the forum where the Dems showed up and the Reps did not. It looked bad on the social media posts with two empty Rep seats. Tuckahoe Democrats even offered to have former Tuckahoe Mayor Greg Luisi, a republican, to moderate the debate, but they still declined, “said Dardano, adding
“The Republicans ran a bad campaign to reach independents (again) by using fear and false accusations against the Dems. The two Dem candidates that were running are not AOC Democratic Socialists but actual moderate Dems (some still exist). The Republicans lost because they were using national/state issues and talking points (which are legit when talking about Albany and Washington) but do not relate Tuckahoe.
“There wasn’t any mention of defunding the police, no crazy taxes raising plans and woke nonsense from the Democratic candidates. Now we have to see how the Dems will govern with one party rule in Tuckahoe. Will it go to their head or will they govern with a steady hand? We shall see. Running a campaign focused on positive change, with a focus on local issues with minimal denigration of their opponents is the playbook to win in Tuckahoe, and in Westchester County.
One of the mailings from Tuckahoe republicans highlighted the high price of gasoline. While this issue affects all of our pocketbooks, there is little if anything that the Village of Tuckahoe can do to influence the price of a gallon of gas, in Tuckahoe, Eastchester or anywhere.
Mike Dardano is exactly the type of moderate, independent Westchester voter that republicans need to attract and get votes from, in order to be competitive in Westchester County politics.
And the debate over debates in Tuckahoe can be extended into Westchester County and all of the upcoming elections in November. Will a nationalized debate, focusing on bail reform, inflation and the price of gas, work in elections for Assembly, State Senate and Congress, here in Westchester?
That’s the question, and the answer depends on who you speak with. Westchester Democrats say that most residents and voters are content with life in our county. Crime is down, real estate prices are up (way up) and ills affecting New York City and other parts of the country aren’t happening here. Vote Democrat and keep the progress going is the narrative of Westchester County Democrats and their elected leaders.
Westchester Republicans tell a different tale. The GOP believes that bail reform is a danger to everyone, including Westchester residents, and inflation is eating away at your paychecks and the price of gas is hitting your pocketbook with a right hook.
A “Red Wave” of republican support is needed across the country, to show your dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden, and with NY Governor Kathy Hochul. The way to do that is vote republican, and, to his credit, Westchester Republican Chair Doug Colety has filled the election ballot for 2022 in Westchester with candidates for Assembly, State Senate and Congress. So if there is a Red Wave, Colety and the GOP have provided you with a way to make a your voice heard.
Which model works? We will have to wait for election day, November 8, to see. But in the mean time, we agree with Dardano that ALL candidates have to debate, and exchange ideas and stand toe to toe next to their opponents.
We actually disagreed with the decision last year by the republican candidate for County Executive Christine Sculti, in not debating her opponent, democrat George Latimer. Sculti has been involved in politics from the outside for many years. She is well versed on the issues of the day, and while Latimer has hundreds of debates under his belt, you never know what will happen.
You have to sit in the chair, look into the camera, and ask the people of your community for their vote, and explain why you want it.
