Cortlandt GOP Hopes to Capitalize on Open Seats
With two longtime incumbent Democratic Town Board members choosing not to seek reelection in November, the Cortlandt Republican Committee may have its best chance in years to win a board seat.
“It’s a better opportunity for us than we’ve had in a long time,” GOP Committee Chairperson Suzane Sadofsky said. “We need some people with name recognition.”
Sadofsky said declining Republican enrollment and the popularity of Supervisor Linda Puglisi over the last 22 years has contributed to the Democratic dominance on the Town Board. The last Republican elected to the board was Joseph Cerreto.
“Four years ago we had a full slate. We thought we had a good chance but it fell apart,” Sadofsky said. “The community has changed. There are more Democrats. We’ve taken a beating throughout the county.”
So far, two residents with no prior political involvement have expressed interest in carrying the Republican banner for the seats being vacated by John Sloan and Ann Lindau-Martin. Sadofsky said she doesn’t expect the committee to nominate anyone to challenge Puglisi.
“She’s a tough lady to beat. She’s very popular,” Sadofsky said. “Veterans like her, seniors like her. I know a lot of Republicans vote for Linda.”
The Republican Committee is hoping to find candidates to oppose Town Clerk Joann Dyckman, Receiver of Taxes Mary Breining and District 9 County Legislator Catherine Borgia. The committee is solidly behind incumbent Republican Town Justice Gerald Klein and District 1 County Legislator John Testa.
Sadofsky said the GOP Committee will announce its slate in May. Anyone interested in interviewing with the committee for any seats can email Sadofsky at smsadofsky@gmail.com.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/