As Campaigns Heat Up, Levy Gets GOP Nod Over Tendy for DA
In the only primary showdown that should yield a red-hot summer of campaigning, Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy received the endorsement of the county’s Republican Committee Wednesday night at the party’s annual convention.
Levy, a two-term office holder, emerged the Republican nominee over challenger Bob Tendy, the Putnam Valley Supervisor and a criminal defense attorney, in an almost 2-1 vote by committee members. The total vote count was 107-58 in favor of Levy, who will have his first opponent for office since he entered the Putnam political sphere back in 2007.
On top of the Republican Party nod, Levy received the Conservative Party endorsement a few weeks ago over Tendy.
In a statement, Levy pledged to “honor the (Republican committee’s) trust by continuing to fight and protect our communities, neighborhoods and citizens.”
“It has been an honor serving Putnam County as District Attorney,” Levy stated. “And this tremendous vote of confidence the party has placed in me, our efforts and record in the DA’s office is gratifying and humbling.”
County chairman Tony Scannapieco called Levy “an outstanding District Attorney” and said it was “clear” Republican Committee members stand “strongly behind him for reelection.”
But according to the Tendy campaign, the endorsement for Levy was anything but a county Republican Party strongly standing behind one candidate.
Tendy said in a press release that he was “heartened” with the outcome, despite the ultimate loss. Tendy stated “the real news” is that he picked up 58 Republican votes from a two-term district attorney.
“That is unheard of,” Tendy said. “With an ethical and competent D.A. the vote should have been 165-0 against me. Of course, if we had an ethical and competent District Attorney, I wouldn’t be running.”
Tendy went on to state that his eyes are set on Sep. 10, which is the date of the Republican primary. Tendy said residents outside of the political spectrum are “very supportive” of him.
So far, the Democratic Party hasn’t announced if it will put a candidate forward for the office, though chances seem slim, making the Republican primary the ultimate decider as to who will be the county’s next top prosecutor.
“That is the people’s vote,” Tendy said of the primary, “And I’m going back to them, visiting them personally, first thing tomorrow, just like I have been for the past six weeks.”
