Yorktown’s Murphy Receives Republican Nod for State Senate
Yorktown Councilman Terrence Murphy was nominated by the Westchester Republican Committee last week to run for the state Senate seat in the 40th District being vacated by incumbent Greg Ball (R,C,I/Patterson).
Murphy, who was elected to a second four-year term on the Yorktown Town Board last November, was chosen over former state Assemblyman Robert Castelli of Lewisboro.
“I’m thrilled and honored to carry the colors of the Republican Party in the 40th Senate District,” Murphy said. “I’m running because I’m concerned about the American Dream in New York. We’re on such a perilous trajectory that if we don’t bring about honest to goodness change, and soon, the chance to revitalize the American Dream in New York could be a fond memory, and I simply refuse to let that happen.”
The 40th Senate District includes Yorktown, Cortlandt, Somers, Peekskill, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, New Castle and Mount Pleasant in Westchester; Carmel, Patterson and Southeast in Putnam; and Beekman and Pawling in Dutchess County.
After weeks of speculation, Ball announced two weeks ago he would not be seeking reelection to the Senate, where he served for the last four years after a four-year stint in the Assembly, or vie for any elected office, including Putnam County executive, which he had reportedly been eyeing for months. He said he held off on his announcement until a viable Republican successor could be found, which opened the door for Murphy, who received Ball’s blessing.
Several local GOP leaders also expressed their support for Murphy, a married father of three children and a chiropractor who owns Yorktown Health and Wellness Center and Murphy’s restaurant in Yorktown.
“Terrence Murphy is Yorktown’s son. He will serve the people of the 40th district with the same values that he has brought to the Yorktown community: leadership, dedication and integrity,” said Yorktown GOP Chairwoman Serafina Mastro.
“Hardworking, smart and honest are all attributes which fit Terrence Murphy to a tee,” said Peekskill GOP Chairman Vincent Vesce. “I have no doubt that he will be a tireless worker in Albany on behalf of all those he will be representing in the state Senate.”
Castelli, a Vietnam veteran who served three years in the Assembly, congratulated Murphy on winning the nomination but did not rule out waging a primary.
“I intend to retain all of my options, and will speak with my campaign staff and supporters to determine which course we will take,” Castelli said in a statement. “While I am disappointed in the Westchester Committee’s decision not to adjourn the vote on this important Senate seat until I and other candidates had a chance to go before each committee, I appreciate the opportunity to be heard, and the support of those who voted for adjournment and who continue to support my candidacy.”
Murphy, who prior to the convention in Hastings-on-Hudson stated he would not have run a primary if he was not the chosen one, acknowledged Castelli’s efforts, saying, “Bob is the consummate statesman who has served the public with class and a tireless work ethic. He served the country honorably in the military for which we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
On Monday, Murphy said he would be appearing before the Putnam and Dutchess county GOP committees this week and was “cautiously optimistic” about receiving their endorsements as well.
Running on the Democratic line for the Senate is Justin Wagner of Croton-on-Hudson, who was defeated by Ball two years ago.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/