Dems Now Hold Uber Majority 16-1 on County BOL
By Dan Murphy
In 2016, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton defeated Republican Donald Trump by a 64 to 36 percent margin in Westchester County. Since then, voter registration trends in the county show that more voters are registering democrat or independent, and less are registering republican.
But most agree that at least 30 percent of Westchester County voters identify as republicans, and the towns of Eastchester, Harrison and Yorktown are controlled by a republican supervisor and republican majority on their town boards.
So why are there no republicans on the County Board of Legislators in Westchester? The news last week by republican County Legislator David Tubiolo that he is switching parties was long expected, but still sent shock waves through the Westchester political establishment – as republicans lashed out at Tubiolo, while democrats welcomed him to their party.
Rising newspapers first reported that Tubiolo was ready to switch parties last spring. But Tubiolo delayed his decision because his father, Justin Tubiolo, was and still is the Republican Party chairman in Yonkers, and his mother, Barbara Tubiolo, held a republican job at the County Board of Elections.
Legislator Tubiolo was also up for re-election in 2019, and logistically could not switch parties in the middle of an election year. Somehow, Tubiolo did not have a democratic opponent last year, and he continued to use the Republican Party to collect petitions and hold several fundraisers for a re-election campaign that did not have an opponent.
Last Friday, Tubiolo held a press conference that included a lengthy, 3,000-word release with quote from almost every elected Democrat in the county welcoming him to the party, but the release’s headline, “Tubiolo Joins Majority Caucus,” did not include the word “democrat.”
Tubiolo, who had worked as an aide to County Legislator Bernie Spreckman before replacing her after she passed, tried to play off his party switch much like his mentor. “My reasons for serving have never changed,” he said. “My mentor and predecessor, Bernice, began her career in one party before switching to another, because, as she taught me, it is all about ‘people, not politics.’ She became one of the longest-serving elected officials in Westchester’s history not by following labels, but by working with courage, dedication and pragmatism to put the best interests of the people of Westchester first. Her lessons remain foremost in my mind to this very day.”
However, Spreckman switched from democrat to a republican in the 1980s, at a time when both parties were evenly divided and represented in Westchester government. Many believe Tubiolo’s switch is motivated more by a “political egomaniac who can’t get anything done unless he is part of the uber majority,” said one Westchester democrat.
“I knew Bernie Spreckman. I served with Bernice Spreckman. David Tubiolo, you are no Bernice Spreckman,” said a Yonkers republican.
The biggest names in Westchester Democratic politics welcomed Tubiolo and his defection. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who represents Yonkers, said: “I heartily welcome David into the big tent of the Democratic Party. I know he will forcefully work for the issues that help his constituents and all the residents of Westchester County. I look forward to working with him in a county and state partnership.”
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said he worked with Tubiolo in bipartisanship prior to his switch, “and I expect us to continue to listen to each other and respectfully debate important issues. Regardless of political affiliation, we as Americans, must listen to each other and dialog for that is the road to unity and growth,” he said.
Westchester Democratic County Committee and Mount Vernon Democratic Committee Chairman Reginald Lafayette added: “Legislator David Tubiolo’s voting record shows he hasn’t been too far from supporting the Democratic philosophy during his legislative tenure. He’s championed and been an avid supporter of (including, but not limited to) the following legislation: Immigration Protection Act, Wage History Anti-Discrimination Law, raising the age to purchase tobacco products, source of income, Cooperative Housing Disclosure Law, Home Improvement License Law and cash-bail reform, among others. He also sponsored the Safe Staffing for Nurses and co-sponsored Banning Conversion Therapy for Minors.”
Tubiolo also laid the blame for his switching parties to President Donald Trump. “I cannot blame Donald Trump alone for all of the problems this country faces, but his actions have created unprecedented divisiness and an atmosphere of intolerance that must change,” said Tubiolo. “I will not sit by idly and watch everything I stand for erode away while immoral policies like child separation are handed down from Washington. Our children and families should be protected above all else.
“That means addressing crushing student loan debt, making corporations pay their fair share, stronger gun laws and comprehensive policies to protect workers from automation,” he continued. “That means paid parental leave for all employees. That means an absolute right to participate in organized labor. That means health care that is accessible to everyone, without interference with private medical decisions. That means respecting and protecting every immutable trait, from religion to gender identity. That means everyone has the opportunity to pursue the American dream, regardless of where they were born.”
Tubiolo represents a number of “never Trump” republicans who have been searching for an alternative party or place to call home.
“For close to three years now, the Republican Party nationally has not been heading in the moral direction where my political compass resides,” said Tubiolo. “I believe one must stand and fight for their ideals. I cannot make a difference by remaining in a party that does not want to hear my message about the importance of a government that is fiscally responsible, committed to equality, putting our environment first, and protecting the livelihood of working-class families, union members, veterans and seniors.”
But according to republican sources in Yonkers, the Tubiolo family – David, Justin and Barbara – were supporters of Trump in 2016 and in 2017, when republican County Executive Rob Astorino tried to win re-election in Westchester in the wake of President Trump. Astorino lost to Latimer by 14 points.
“David: welcome to the party!” said Congressman Eliot Engel, who represents Mount Vernon and Yonkers. “I’ve known the Tubiolo family for many years. Their commitment to the community and to helping those around them has always transcended party lines. As a county legislator, David has already proven himself to be a thoughtful lawmaker who knows how to get things done. The Democratic Party is with David on behalf of our shared constituents in Yonkers and Mount Vernon.”
According to Tubiolo’s statement: “Since being elected in 2016, Tubiolo was often a contrarian voice in his conference. He was frequently the lone Republican voice of dissent against the Astorino administration. Throughout the years he regularly joined the then-Democratic caucus on several issues such as banning conversion therapy for minors, budget, cash bail, cooperative housing disclosure, home improvement license, Immigration Protection Act, raise the age to purchase tobacco products, source of income, wage history anti-discrimination, and many more items.”
But let us remember that his mother was working in the Astorino administration, and most republicans and democrats in Yonkers believe the only reason he was elected county legislator was because his dad was Yonkers GOP chairman.
Tubiolo then added a comment that must have made his former party wonder, “As a member of the Democratic majority caucus I will remain committed to helping Westchester residents succeed by pursuing a bold, progressive agenda,” said Tubiolo.
Mary Kate O’Sullivan, a Steering Committee member with NYCD-16 Indivisible; and Shannon Powell, co-founder of Indivisible Westchester, stated: “When elected officials change parties, there’s often a sense that it’s being done for political expediency and not out of conviction. But in talking with David Tubiolo, we were pleased to learn that his values are aligned with ours on key Democratic issues. We welcome David to join our big tent as we all work to make Westchester the best place possible for everyone.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano also welcomed Tubiolo to the Democratic Party. “Being elected to office at such a young age, David has grown immensely and I have long sensed his views support our party,” he said. “I am confident Legislator Tubiolo will continue to put Yonkers families first, regardless of party affiliation.”
Tubiolo said he switched parties now to meet a Feb. 14 deadline to vote in the presidential primary in New York on April 24. He represents District 14 on the County Board, which includes part of Yonkers and a small area of Mount Vernon. Some are speculating that Tubiolo will face a democratic primary the next time he runs for County Board, and another rumor has him running for Assembly in two years if Yonkers Assemblyman Nader Sayegh decides to step down.
Tubiolo earns $75,000 per year as a county legislator, after the pay hike, and earns an extra $6,000 from his chairmanship of the County Parks Committee
Many of the thoughts from Yonkers republicans about the Yonkers GOP can also be said about the Westchester GOP. In Yonkers the remaining two republicans on the City Council called on Justin Tubiolo to resign as Yonkers GOP chairman.
Councilman Anthony Merante issued a statement that read: “David Tubiolo, duly elected as a Republican County Legislator, District 14, announced that he was switching his party registration to the Democratic Party, thereby betraying the Republicans who voted and supported him. It was widely rumored for over a year that David Tubiolo was intending to switch parties because it would be an easier path for him in future elections. This was purely a self-serving move on Tubiolo’s part and a total disregard for the party that nominated him. This took place while his father; Justin Tubiolo, sat as chairman of the Yonkers Republican Party.
“It’s apparent Chairman Justin Tubiolo is conflicted and must resign from his Yonkers Republican leadership position. I find it disingenuous on the part of Justin to have sought the GOP chairmanship this past fall all the while knowing and most likely advising his son to switch parties for his personal political benefit.
“Our Yonkers Republican Party is in shambles due to poor leadership,” continued Merante. “Our party is suffering from diminishing membership and a string of electoral losses and now with the chairman’s son David Tubiolo switching parties, this sends a message of weakness and cannot stand. Our Republican Party must be the protector of Yonkers taxpayers and be a counter balance against our friends the Democrats.
“In Yonkers, we all work in a bipartisan manner for the good of our residents, but our taxpayers need a strong voice and that is of the Republican Party. Yonkers residents are fleeing the city and state due to high taxes and this must end. We need to keep Yonkers affordable for young families and seniors on fixed incomes. This must be the branding message of our Yonkers Republican Party. We need a fighter as our party leader, someone who can and will rebuild our party brick by brick.”
As Yonkers and Westchester republicans are outraged at Tubiolo, word has now leaked that his mom has also switched jobs, from working at the Board of Elections as a republican to working for Westchester County government, which has a democratic county executive and 16 of the 17 county legislators are democrats.
The views on social media were mixed, but more negative for Tubiolo’s switch. “Your family who I understand are Republican leaders must be embarrassed by this move,” wrote Peter Plati. “Mount Vernon Democrats told everyone you were defecting weeks ago. Getting petitions signed for you was my family’s biggest mistake. This power grab shows your lack of character. So disappointed.”
Westchester GOP Chairman Doug Colety stated: “David Tubiolo’s party switch is a betrayal of the voters who in November elected a Republican with Republican values to serve as their county legislator.
“One month into his two-year term, Tubiolo has abandoned the people and principles that brought him to victory. His action is a sad example of a politician gaming the system to advance his personal ambitions. The question for Tubiolo is: Where do voters go to get their vote back? Sadly, they can’t.”
“Democracy is weakened by political schemes to create ‘safe’ seats insulated from the will of the people,” continued Colety. “The Republican Party is eager to overturn Tubiolo’s betrayal of the voters and retake this County Legislature seat and other seats across Westchester in the upcoming general elections.
“Elections matter and character counts. The future of the Republican Party is strong because it stands as protection for the people against the radical, left wing, lunatic policies of the Democrats that have emerged from their one-party rule.”
Send your comments to dmurphy@risingmediagroup.com.
