Sept. 9 primary: 40th District key to balance of Senate

With Republican control of the state Senate hanging on the outcome of a few races in November, two Republicans will face each other in the Sept. 9 primary as they try to keep the 40th Senate District in the party's hands.

After two terms, Sen. Greg Ball decided not to run again, creating a more competitive race in an already competitive district. The Republican Party is backing Yorktown Councilman Terrence Murphy, and he has picked up endorsements from several officials including former Gov. George Pataki and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell.

Yet his opponent, former Assemblyman Bob Castelli, argues he has a record of drawing Democratic votes and has a better chance to win the general election.

"He's the handpicked replacement of Greg Ball, who is a controversial figure up there as well as down here," Castelli said of Murphy.

The primary winner will face Democrat Justin Wagner, who nearly beat Ball two years ago. The district includes eastern Dutchess, eastern Putnam and large parts of northern and central Westchester. Overall, 35 percent of active voters are Democrats, 32 percent are Republicans and 25 percent are unaffiliated. Republicans have an edge in Putnam and Dutchess but in Westchester, which has the bulk of the voters, Democratic enrollment is higher.

Murphy said as a councilman he helped push through two years of tax cuts and bring in hundreds of millions in economic development. He also worked on an overhaul of the town ethics code, he said.

"Just look at the craziness going on in Albany," he said. "The days of having two sets of standards for politicians are over."

Murphy said to address the region's heroin epidemic he would pursue legislation to train every first responder in using Narcan to counteract an overdose. To get at the root of the problem, insurance companies will have to start covering longer in-patient rehab stays, he said. "Thirty days is not enough," he said.

One major difference between the candidates is their stance on abortion. Murphy said he is a "pro-life type of guy" while Castelli said he does not personally believe in abortion but is pro-choice.

"I don't think I have the right to make that decision for you," Castelli said. "That's the difference."

But Castelli, who sometimes has been critical of Ball, said they agreed on many issues including immigration, veterans and the Second Amendment. He also said he has experience working with lawmakers across the aisle, which will be important regardless of which party leads the Senate. While in the Assembly, "I made a point of getting to know these people," he said.

Castelli said a major accomplishment was changing the law to prevent governments from laying off workers called up for active service. Castelli said he wants to bring more oversight to the state's many authorities.

Both Castelli and Murphy support the repeal of the SAFE Act gun-control law.

Castelli, 64, of Lewisboro was a member of the state police and taught criminal justice before being elected to the Assembly from northeast Westchester. Murphy, 48, serving his second term on the Yorktown Town Board, is a chiropractor and owner, with his family, of Murphy's restaurant.

Green Party voters also can write in a candidate for the 40th Senate District on primary day. Senators make $79,500.

Twitter: @eganga