Putnam Primary Election Night Coverage Keys in on Two Leg. Races
Primary night in Putnam County saw newcomer Toni Addonizio emerge victorious in dominating fashion over incumbent Lou Tartaro and a race between incumbent Dini LoBue and challenger Amy Sayegh that still has plenty of script left to be written.
In the Legislative 3 race, Addonizio pulled away from Tartaro and won with ease in the Republican primary, garnering 61 percent of the vote. Overall, she thumped Tartaro 282-169, according to the unofficial results from the county’s Board of Elections.
Though there was some outrage last January, Tartaro was appointed by the legislature after former legislator Richard Othmer resigned to take the highway superintendent job in Kent. After getting voted out of his town board seat the previous November, some residents felt Tartaro should not have served a higher position. Endorsed by the Republican Party and Independence Party, Tartaro claimed his experience justified a full term in office.
Addonizio, a new face to the public arena, had no prior experience in any office, but ran as someone who would bring a fresh perspective to the county. The lifetime Kent resident was nominated by the Conservative Party.
As for the Legislative 8 race, LoBue was able to top Sayegh in the Republican primary with 55 percent of the vote. Overall, she beat Sayegh 229-183 votes, according to unofficial results. But while LoBue came away with the major party line, Sayegh maintained the Independence line she was nominated for and seemed to snag the Conservative line from LoBue by a single vote.
LoBue is running for her third term in office and vowed to continue to be the most independent voice on the legislature if elected again. The longtime Mahopac resident was endorsed by the Republican Party and also the Conservative Party. After Legislator Sam Oliverio, LoBue has been the longest serving member of the nine-person legislature.
Sayegh, a newcomer to the political scene, entered the race back in March, forcing a primary that will now go into the general election in November. Endorsed by the Independence Party, Sayegh pushed an agenda that focuses on tackling issues important to families in her area and the county.
