Rubeo Routs Duffy in Mt. Pleasant GOP Town Justice Primary
Mark Rubeo has spent many years in service to Mount Pleasant, including time on the Town Board and Planning Board. Starting Jan. 1, Rubeo will continue in his latest role as town justice.
On Thursday, Rubeo routed Michael Duffy by a more than 2-1 margin in the Republican primary for the seat. Unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections late Thursday night showed Rubeo leading 571-239.
Rubeo, 47, an attorney with a general practice in town, will be unopposed in November. He will also appear on the Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines while no Democrat entered the race.
“I’m just grateful to the citizens of Mount Pleasant,” said Rubeo who spent eight years on the Town Board and five years on the Planning Board.
Rubeo was appointed interim justice by the Town Board to replace Nicholas Maselli, who resigned last spring. Rubeo was sworn in June 2 to complete the final year of Maselli’s term, which ends Dec. 31.
Duffy said he was disappointed by the large margin of defeat but was unable to overcome the support of the Republican establishment. Plus, Rubeo’s “been a town fixture forever.”
“He had the Republican Committee machine behind him,” Duffy said.
Despite his defeat Duffy, 66, said he planned to stay active in local politics. He said his decision to challenge Rubeo should be a message to the town Republican Committee that there are party members who are willing to challenge the status quo.
