Republican Emerges as Possible Candidate for Assembly Seat

With Steve Katz most likely not running again for New York State Assembly because of a self-imposed term limit, one Republican has already come forward to express interest in running for his seat.

Town of Carmel Councilwoman Suzi McDonough announced the creation of an exploratory committee for the 94th Assembly seat, one that could be packed with GOP candidates vying for the vacant seat in a Republican leaning district. McDonough made the announcement through a press release Wednesday morning, stating she’s “seen first hand that New York State is heading in the wrong direction.”

“Whether the issue be property taxes, the SAFE Act or late term abortion, now more than ever, we must stand up as New Yorkers to protect and defend our way of life from Albany overreach,” McDonough went on to state.

McDonough is in the middle of her second term on the Carmel town board and currently is on state Senator Terrence Murphy’s legislative team. She was also part of former state senator Greg Ball’s legislative office, acting as chief of staff at one time. The Mahopac high school graduate has lived in the district for 50 years and has been involved in a myriad of community organizations. She has five children with her late husband Jimmy McDonough, whose life was cut short due to cancer in 2005.

As a councilwoman, McDonough said in an email she’s made efforts to build improved communication between town departments and residents in order to keep them informed. Working with the town board, she and other councilmembers created a new garbage district at a lower price, pushed for capital improvements at town hall and established a new town website and emergency notification center.

When asked over email how she thinks Katz has done in office, McDonough said, “I am going to run a positive campaign focused on the issues. I intend to leave the politics to my opponents.”

As a staunch advocate for term limits, Katz has previously and repeatedly said he won’t run for reelection after this term expires. During a swearing-in ceremony at the Old Courthouse in Carmel last New Year’s Eve, Katz pointedly said, “This is the last term that I’ll be serving.”

Katz beat Democrat Andy Falk in 2014. He first burst onto the political scene back in 2010 when he earned his first term in the assembly. The district represents parts of Putnam and northern Westchester.

“I can tell you that there’s nothing probably more important in ridding us of the corruption that is rampant up in Albany than term limits,” Katz said during Putnam’s inauguration. “There are some others, too, but trust me term limits can’t be more important. I am term limiting myself out, I challenge the rest of my colleagues to do the same.”

McDonough said she announced her interest in the seat earlier than usual in order to take the time to meet with as many residents as possible in Putnam and northern Westchester. She also noted that her campaign would be entrenched in a grassroots movement.

“I can never keep up with the Albany money machine and party politics,” McDonough stated. “Honestly, I’m more interested in organic support from real people, friends and my fellow neighbors, with real concerns.”