NEWS

The hottest Westchester, Putnam primaries

Cara Matthews
  • Putnam and Westchester candidates are in primaries for state and Putnam legislature, Ossining mayor.
  • Statewide, there are Democratic primaries for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's seat and lieutenant governor.
  • Senate Republicans and Democrats are closely matched, so a lot is riding on November's elections.
  • An Ossining trustee is challenging Mayor William Hanauer; two Putnam legislators have primaries.

Democrats statewide are the only voters who will be casting their ballots in gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial primaries Tuesday, but Putnam and Westchester challengers are rallying Republican, Democratic, Conservative, Independence and Green party voters in contests for state and Putnam legislatures and Ossining mayor.

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One of the most competitive primaries is in the 40th Senate District, which covers eastern Dutchess, eastern Putnam and large parts of northern and central Westchester. Two Republicans — former Assemblyman Robert Castelli of Goldens Bridge and Yorktown Councilman Terrence Murphy — are seeking the GOP line to replace outgoing Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson. The Republican Party is backing Murphy. Tuesday's winner will face Democrat Justin Wagner, who almost beat Ball in the general election two years ago.

In the 34th Senate District, which covers parts of the Bronx and Mount Vernon, as well as Pelham, G. Oliver Koppell is challenging Sen. Jeff Klein in a Democratic primary.

Koppell — a former assemblyman, New York City councilman and attorney general — said Klein betrayed the Democratic Party by forming a breakaway coalition of Democrats that shared control of the Senate with Republicans the last two years. Klein denies the charge and said his Independent Democratic Coalition has accomplished much.

Klein said the coalition would work with Democrats in the upcoming session. Republicans and Democrats in the chamber are closely matched, and a lot is riding on November's elections as far as which party will take control.

Other competitive local races include a Democratic primary in Ossining village between Mayor William Hanauer and Trustee Victoria Gearity, and primaries for two Putnam County Legislature seats. Republican incumbents Dini LoBue and Lou Tartaro are being challenged by political newcomers on the GOP, Conservative and Independence party lines.

Statewide, Democrats will choose between Gov. Andrew Cuomo, law professor Zephyr Teachout and Randy Credico, a former stand-up comedian. There is a Democratic primary for lieutenant governor between Timothy Wu, Teachout's running mate, and former U.S. Rep. Kathy Hochul, who is running with Cuomo.

Here is a list of the primaries. In some cases, there is an opportunity to ballot — a chance to write in a candidate. Party county committee offices will also be on the ballot in some cases.

* = incumbent

Statewide

Governor

Democratic: *Andrew Cuomo, Zephyr Teachout, Randy Credico

Lieutenant governor

Democratic: Kathy Hochul, Timothy Wu

State Senate

34th Senate District

Democratic: *Jeffrey Klein, G. Oliver Koppell

35th Senate District

Conservative: Write-in opportunity

36th Senate District

Democratic: *Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Crystal Collins

40th Senate District

Republican: Terrence Murphy, Bob Castelli

Green: Write-in opportunity

41st Senate District

Green: Write-in opportunity

90 th Assembly District

Democratic: *Shelley Mayer, Michael Sweeney

Putnam

County Legislator, District 3

Republican:*Louis Tartaro, Toni Addonizio

Independence: *Louis Tartaro, write-in opportunity

County Legislator, District 8

Republican: *Dini LoBue, Amy Sayegh

Conservative: *Dini LoBue, write-in opportunity

Independence: Amy Sayegh, write-in opportunity

Westchester local offices

Ossining mayor

Democratic: *William Hanauer, Victoria Gearity

Mamaroneck village trustee (3)

Democratic: *Andres Bermudez Hallstrom, *Ilissa Miller, *Leon Potok, David Finch