Endorsements for State and Congressional Races
Murphy’s Experience Key in Nasty Senate Race to Replace Ball
Neither Republican Terrence Murphy nor Democrat Justin Wagner have distinguished themselves in one of the nastiest campaigns in recent memory where issues have been overshadowed by juvenile jabs and a barrage of pointless media attacks that reinforce why so many people are disgusted and turned off by politicians.
Both candidates have a tough act to follow in the 40th Senate District trying to replace Sen. Greg Ball, who made an infamous name for himself with some zany antics, and both have made it difficult with their unscrupulous tactics to cut through the minutia and find some substance in what they’re attempting to relay to voters who have been subjected to these follies for nearly two months now.
To highlight the hysteria generated through their campaign by sound bite, the last point in the proposed Women’s Equality Act, which would allow for late-term abortions if the mother’s health was at stake, has been so exaggerated by both sides for political gain it’s a sad commentary on the two candidates.
The problem is this race carries great significance in the balance of power in the state Senate and thus can’t be taken lightly, which is why so much money has been pumped into both candidates’ campaigns by political action committees. What voters have to decide on their own is which candidate has the experience and strength of his convictions to be an effective representative for his constituents.
Based on those factors, with five years on the Yorktown Town Board under his belt, as compared to no public service by his opponent, it is recommended that Murphy be given the nod for the two-year Senate seat.
During his time as a councilman, Murphy has been staunchly “pro- business” and tackled head-on the drug problem in the region before it was garnering headlines.
Wagner, rightfully so, has taken Murphy to task for not being in the forefront of opposing the planned natural gas pipeline expansion in northern Westchester, but, at the same time, Wagner has distorted Murphy’s record on the issue. Murphy, and the other three members of the town board, voted to ask the state legislature for permission to possibly alienate parkland for the pipeline. It was a vote to justify the process.
Meanwhile, Murphy did vote to support a resolution calling for strict health and safety conditions be imposed on Spectra Energy if the federal government okays the pipeline. The anti-“Murphy Pipeline” effort has really just been misguided hype.
On the issue of hydraulic fracturing, Murphy has been clear in his opposition, yet Wagner, who said he would vote to support a moratorium bill and a ban on fracking, also remarked “if there’s a way to do it safely and create jobs, let’s do it.”
It’s not the first time that Murphy has sought higher office, having come up short twice for county legislator, while Wagner put a major scare in Ball two years ago when he lost by only a few percentage points.
In a race that’s tough to call, and with a lot at stake, having someone like Murphy in Albany who won’t have to start from square one in learning the ropes, as a novice like Wagner would, could be more beneficial to constituents in the district in terms of getting necessary funding that communities have grown accustomed to expect with Ball.
Wagner seems to have good intentions in running for office, even stating he would quit his job with a top law firm to serve in the Senate. However, his inexperience in government is glaring and impossible to overlook.
Falk Best Choice for State Assembly over Katz
When Patterson resident and local attorney Andrew Falk ran for the 94th assembly seat in 2012, he was a newcomer on the political scene. Describing his campaign as a snowball that kept gaining momentum two years ago, but just couldn’t outlast opponent Steve Katz, Falk hopes this time the mountain is steep enough to replace the Republican incumbent.
Just like two years ago, we endorse Falk for state Assembly because of his message of fighting for middle class families and common sense and even handed approach to social issues. Two ways Falk wants to make life more affordable for Northern Westchester and Putnam County families is by providing tax rebates to those companies that hire more employees and to raise the minimum wage, which is very much needed in a time where life expenses continue to rise, making it impossible to live in the area on such small salaries.
As a father of two young sons looking to pay off his mortgage like many Hudson Valley homeowners and run a law firm located on Brewster’s main street, Falk seems to grasp the real issues at hand.
Katz, in the meantime, has done good things for veterans and seniors, which is why he’s been able to win two consecutive elections. His calls for ethics reform and criticism of corruption in Albany should be commended. Rarely do politicians speak their minds, but Katz is refreshing for the fact he says what he means. That being said, his continuing onslaught against Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is not helping his district. Yes, it’s time for Silver to be pushed out. That’s something Democrats and Republicans should be able to agree on. But Katz can’t seem to talk about the issues at hand without bringing Silver into it. He’s even tried to link Falk to Silver regarding campaign donations, but according to Falk he has gotten donations from the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee and State Democrats, which is fairly common in races.
It was also inexcusable when Katz voted against legalizing medical marijuana, then embarrassingly got caught with pot possession on his way to the State Capitol to cast votes, and then reversed his stance on medical marijuana following the incident. Voters should demand more out of their representatives. That’s why Falk should get your support for the 94th Assembly. With the hope that Falk is independent from his own party, but still willing to work with everyone, we wholeheartedly recommend Falk for election.
Gipson Deserves 2nd Term in State Senate
With the help of two right-wing candidates splitting the vote in 2012, Terry Gipson was able to pull through by 2,100 votes to earn the 41st district seat. The political newcomer and Democrat wasn’t even endorsed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, but still found a way to edge former state Senator Stephen Saland. This year, going up against Republican Sue Serino, Gipson’s record warrants another term up in Albany. While Gipson’s district covers most of Dutchess County, he also represents three towns in Putnam and has shown support for those parts of the county. Gipson, after visiting Kent Primary School, was made aware of the need for a new playground for young children in the Carmel School District. He was able to bring back a $100,000 grant to Kent for a new Imagination Station about a year ago. In Putnam Valley, Gipson was able to secure $1 million in funding for the Pudding Street overpass project and has pushed the state department of transportation to make it a priority. Learning of the issue at a local town board meeting, Gipson has consistently appeared before town board and even the county Legislature for updates and discussion. When representing his district up in Albany, Gipson has shown his desire to pass meaningful legislation. The Vampire Voting Act, which prevents voting by the lawmakers after a certain hour of night, is just one example of his push for greater transparency and separating from the business as usual done in the state’s capital. His opponent, Sue Serino, who serves on the Dutchess County Legislature, has a message that focuses on controlling taxes so the young and old can remain in Lower Hudson Valley, and create jobs through economic development. Her life story is remarkable, going from being a single mother on food stamps for a short time to having her own small business in real estate to rising in political office. She started on a town board in Dutchess and moved up to the Legislature. In this race, four other Republicans were running at one point, but three of them dropped out to make way for Serino. An Oct. 6 Siena Poll released showed Serino is up by 12 points against Gipson. But before voters cast their ballot on Nov. 4, they should examine the work Gipson has done, and, in this case, pay little attention to party affiliation considering the incumbent’s willingness to be bipartisan for the betterment of his district.
After Two Years of Bipartisanship, Maloney Should Earn Reelection
The 18th congressional race between incumbent Sean Patrick Maloney and challenger Nan Hayworth has been an entertaining one. Both have gone back and forth putting the other one down, from Maloney calling Hayworth a “Tea Party radical” to Hayworth accusing Maloney of being a “Washington insider.” All that nonsense aside, voters within the district should select Maloney to be their representative for another two years. This election is unique because both candidates have had the chance to represent the Hudson Valley in Congress. Hayworth served from 2011 to 2012 and Maloney the past two years. When comparing records, Maloney should be given the edge for the way he reached across the aisle numerous times. He has also been responsive to issues that directly impact residents in his district. For instance, after a Dec. 1 train crash, Maloney acted to put in place legislation to make those rails like Metro-North safer. After the troubles surfaced regarding Veteran’s Affairs hospitals, Maloney introduced the Disabled Veterans Red Tape Reduction Act, which allowed veterans to have medical examinations done by physicians outside the VA system. And now he is taking on FERC and the new capacity zone raising energy prices at an unreasonable rate. While Hayworth is not the suggested choice, there’s little doubt about the hard work she’s put into helping Hudson Valley residents and she’s made this race closer than many originally thought was possible. Some critiques she makes about the Affordable Care Act are valid, and cosponsoring the REINS Act—meant to control regulators like FERC– deserve praise. While Maloney, without mercy, has labeled Hayworth a Tea Party candidate, her campaign seems to suggest a more moderate approach. But when asked directly if she is a Tea Party candidate, Hayworth deflected immediately, never answering the question. Voting Hayworth back into office might have been a more tempting option if the representative in place was ineffective, but, overall, Maloney has proven to be a skillful and independent advocate for his constituents.
