Sweeny Not Running for County Executive
Mahopac resident Alana Sweeny, a former director for George Pataki while he was governor, said she would not run for county executive of Putnam.
Sweeny was considering taking on former county legislator MaryEllen Odell for the Republican nomination, but was recently offered a position at a New York City not-for-profit, she said.
“It was just something I could not turn down,” said Sweeny. “It would be nearly impossible to run for county executive with this new position.”
Sweeny, who worked at the New York State Council on Children and Families from 1995 to 2005, had touted her managerial experience in exploring a run.
With Sweeny bowing out of the race, the path to the Republican nomination appears to be clear for Odell, who lost to then-Senator Vincent Leibell in last year’s election. Odell has the backing of the Republican, Independence and Conservative committees. So far, no Democratic candidate has entered the race.
Leibell announced he would not be taking office shortly before pleading guilty to felony corruption charges. Paul Eldridge was appointed by the legislature to serve as county executive this year but has said he will not seek a full term in the position.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.