Race for Leg. 9 Seat Uncontested After DiCarlo Pulls Out
A potentially contentious Republican primary has come to a quiet end after one of the candidates officially withdrew his name from consideration last week.
Former legislator and Mahopac resident Anthony DiCarlo confirmed he has dropped out of the race to regain the seat he once held, in hopes of running for the Carmel town board next year, leaving businessman and Mahopac resident Neal Sullivan as the only remaining candidate for the slot. So far, no Democrat has come forward in the Republican heavy district.
DiCarlo said the idea to switch gears and run for a Carmel councilman position in 2017 was spurred when he started going door-to-door collecting signatures to get on the ballot for his legislative race. Residents kept telling him he would be better suited for town government and closer to the people, he said. After talking with family and friends, he made the decision drop out and gear up for next year.
DiCarlo, who went deaf in his right year last year, said he learned things happen for the reason and not to ignore signs and messages.
“I’ve got to go by what the people want me to do,” he said. “It’s kind of humbling and that’s what I’m going to do.”
DiCarlo served on the town board for seven years and then ran for the county Legislature, serving one term. When he ran for reelection in 2013 against current Legislator Kevin Wright, DiCarlo left the race after Wright took him to court over his petitions and DiCarlo didn’t want volunteers dragged to court.
A main point for DiCarlo when he entered the race was pushing for more independence from the county executive branch and further debate on issues within the county. Despite leaving the race, DiCarlo still believes the legislature needs that renewed commitment.
DiCarlo said he reached out to Sullivan, who the town GOP committee endorsed by a slim 15-14 margin, to inform him of his decision last week.
Sullivan, when reached for comment, said he was happy when DiCarlo informed him of his decision and thinks DiCarlo did what’s best for the Republican Party by not forcing a primary. Sullivan will also run on the Conservative and Independence lines.
Sullivan said he’d absolutely be independent on the legislature, a trait DiCarlo said was important for the new district 9 legislator to have.
“As a certified public accountant, our profession is built on objectivity and integrity,” Sullivan said. “You have to make decisions based on the facts and what’s best for your constituents.”
The Democratic committee in Carmel hasn’t been able to field anyone for the race and it appears unlikely anyone will step forward at such a late date, according to the Carmel Democratic Committee chairwoman Jen Colamonica. Three years ago, Democrat Bernie Kosberg ran, only to get easily beat by Wright.
“I struggled with the fact that I made a commitment to myself to run, but then I also want to listen to what the people in the town want to say,” DiCarlo said. “I think I’m making the right decision, I really do.”
