Odell Endorses Murphy in 40th District Senate Race
Already favored and with plenty of momentum heading into a September primary, Yorktown councilman and candidate for the 40th district senate seat Terrence Murphy received the endorsement of Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell last Thursday.
Calling the race “crucial for the future of the 40th district” Odell threw her support behind Murphy, who is looking to top former assemblyman and opponent Bob Castelli for the Republican line in the general election. The seat is currently held by Greg Ball, who is leaving public life after his current term is up.
“It’s a honor and privilege to have MaryEllen, the county executive endorse me,” Murphy said. “She’s a proven leader up there. She’s done a heck of a job.”
Odell said there were several factors that led to her endorsement of Murphy over Castelli. Already receiving the county’s Republican Party endorsement and coming from a family of public service, Odell stated Murphy would be a “strong advocate” for residents in Putnam.
Odell also noted the significance of keeping a Republican in the 40th district seat, which could be considered a spot not completely secured for conservatives after Ball decided not to run. The Democrat in the race is Justin Wagner, who ran and lost to Ball in 2012. The margin of victory for Republicans though was 51-49.
Because of the push toward economic development and the fight against New York’s SAFE Act, Odell said it’s “very critical” for Murphy to win the seat.
The press conference for the endorsement took place in the Village of Brewster in front of a vacant office complex at 39 Mt. Ebo Road South. Odell pointed out the office space was originally held by Tartus Global Relations, but is now located in Connecticut because of New York’s unfriendly business climate.
Odell and Murphy have long known each other, well before they each got into the political arena. Their fathers both worked for Con Edison and car-pooled to work for a number of years. Murphy called the two fathers “good buddies” and both Odell and Murphy were always at several family functions. Murphy’s father died several years ago, but Odell said he would be “very proud” that Murphy decided to go into public service.
With Ball, a Patterson resident, leaving politics, county residents might not have a Putnam resident in office up in Albany for the first time in decades. Of the three positions—the state senate seat, and two assemblyman seats—Democrat Andrew Falk is the only Putnam resident in any of those races. Odell admits residents have come to her with this concern.
“It’s interesting to note and it is something people have commented on,” Odell said. “That’s why I am so intent that the people of Putnam County understand it doesn’t matter if he’s hails from Yorktown, what matters is he has the same values and principles and work ethic as the people of Putnam County.”
Odell is just another notch of expressed Republican support for Murphy. Ball, who has been a state senator the past four years, is backing Murphy and the Westchester Republican Party and Putnam Republican Party also nominated Murphy.
“I take it with honor and privilege that people have the confidence in me to represent the people of the 40th district,” Murphy said. “With that being said, I am cautiously optimistic going into the primary, I don’t want to be over confident.”
