Senator Saland Declared Victor in Republican Primary
By an extremely thin margin of 170 votes, State Senator Steve Saland has been officially certified as the winner of the Republican primary for the 41stState Senate District against his challenger Brewster resident Neil DiCarlo.
After the Putnam County and Dutchess County Boards of Election had completed counting absentee votes late last week, both candidates filed court papers, prompting a New York State Supreme Court judge on Tuesday afternoon to order the two election boards to certify Saland as the winner of the primary, according to Dutchesss County Republican Elections Commissioner Erik Haight.
“Given the outcome of the absentee ballot count, I am honored and gratified the Republican voters have supported and selected me to serve as their candidate,” Saland said in a statement released by his campaign.“This election was won with the help, generosity and support of many and my heartfelt thanks go out to all of those who contributed to this victory.”
That doesn’t mean that DiCarlo won’t be on the general election ballot after mounting a successful write-in campaign to appear on the Conservative Party line in November.
“I want to thank all my volunteers for bringing my campaign this far. Having won the majority of votes in the [Conservative Party] primary, I look forward to winning the general election in November and serving the people of the 41st with integrity as their State Senator,” DiCarlo said in a statement released by his campaign.
DiCarlo does not currently reside inside of the 41st Senate District. Because of redistricting this year, he was allowed to run for the seat. If successful, by law, he will have to move into the district within 12 months.
The 41st Senate District, comprised largely of Dutchess County, also includes the towns of Kent, Putnam Valley and Philipstown in Putnam County.
Both of the candidates will face Democratic candidate Terry Gipson in the general election. Gipson lives in Rhinebeck where he serves on the village board and owns a small business.
Saland said it is a challenge he is prepared to take on.
“As with each and every election I have entered, I will work hard to gain the support of the general electorate, as I wholeheartedly believe it is critically important to represent all of the people, regardless of party affiliation,” he said.
Saland has been a state senator for 22 years and served the previous 10 years in the state assembly.
Last year, Saland cast the deciding vote to legalize same sex marriage in New York State, which was followed by a primary challenge from DiCarlo, who is the chief compliance officer for a Wall Street firm. If elected, DiCarlo said he would work to have the legislation allowing same-sex marriage overturned.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
