Rockland GOP Chair: Skelos Wants to Take Out Carlucci
There’s been a lot of speculation about whether the Senate Republicans will actually run tough races against the four members of the Independent Democratic Conference, which has worked closely with the Senate Republican majority.
But Vincent Reda, chairman of the Rockland County Republicans, says that in a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos on Friday, he was assured that the GOP is fully behind a challenge to one of the most vulnerable IDC members, freshman State Sen. David Carlucci.
Previously, Senate Republican Campaign Committee chairman Tom Libous had said the Republicans might not put up challengers to the IDC members, but Reda says that’s definitely not the case in his county.
“That’s totally untrue,” Reda said. “Sen. Skelos is very supportive of running a candidate.”
Bill O’Reilly, the new communications consultant for the state Republican Party, had also previously hinted that the Republicans would put up challengers to IDC members.
Reda mentioned three officials interested in taking on Carlucci: Clarkstown Councilman Frank Borelli, Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, and former Orangetown Town Supervisor Paul Whalen, whose term just ended in December. Reda says he believes there will not be a Republican primary.
According to two other Rockland County sources, Borelli, a successful local businessman, is very seriously considering a run and would be able to put some of his own money into a race. Borelli did not return requests for comment.
I’m also hearing from Rockland County sources that Day is unlikely to end up running for the seat, and is more likely to launch a primary challenge to Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef in 2013.
Reda says he believes Carlucci will first face a Democratic primary — though he’s unsure who the Democratic challenger would be.
In mid-December, there was some uproar in local Democratic circles over a telephone poll that reportedly knocked Carlucci and propped up Clarkstown Democratic Councilwoman Stephanie Hausner. Senate Democrats were furious when Carlucci defected to the IDC before spending a single day in the Democratic conference, especially since the Democrats poured money into getting Carlucci elected.
The district is currently comprised of Orange and Rockland counties. Reda, who is first vice chairman of the state Republican Party and is close to party leadership, says he believes that Carlucci’s district will remain largely intact — and also believes that the district will continue to include a significant ultra-Orthodox Jewish vote that can often make or break elections there. Senate Republicans endeared themselves to that population last year by surprisingly landing $18 million in funding for rabbinical tuition assistance in the budget, even as public education funding was being cut.
There was some controversy in 2010 over the Republican nomination for this seat following the death of longtime GOP incumbent Tom Morahan. Some local Republicans wanted Day to be the nominee, but the Senate Republicans preferred Vanderhoef, who ultimately got the nod. Vanderhoef wound up surprisingly losing to the then 29-year-old Carlucci.
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for the IDC, did not immediately return a request for comment, but has previously said that IDC members were not expecting free passes and were prepared for any challenge.
Comments (9)
Roundup: Redistricting; Yet Another Debate Night | PolitickerNY
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[...] local GOP county chair says he’s gunning for David [...]
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Mark Adelson
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Senator Carlucci in my opinion would defeat Mr.Borelli and Mr.Day if challenged by either. He is a staunch advocate for his constichtuents and is beloved by them. He caucuses with the Democratic Party. He is a true leader and proven track record.
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GOP Contemplates Carlucci Competitiors
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[...] to run against David Carlucci in New York’s 38th State Senate district. Reda recently told City & State that three well-known local figures, Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, Clarkstown Town Councilman [...]
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First Redistricting, Now The Horse Race? | Sloatsburg Village NY
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[...] to run against David Carlucci in New York’s 38th State Senate district. Reda recently told City&State that three well-known local figures, Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, Clarkstown Town [...]
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In Upstate NY, Hasidic Community to Live With Pro-LGBT State Senator for Quite Some Time | Gestetner Updates
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[...] to run against David Carlucci in New York’s 38th State Senate district. Reda recently told City & State that three well-known local figures, Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, Clarkstown Town Councilman [...]
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Three possible Carlucci challengers emerge...or not
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[...] to run against David Carlucci in New York’s 38th State Senate district. Reda recently told City & State that three well-known local figures, Rockland County Legislator Ed Day, Clarkstown Town Councilman [...]
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Rallying Behind Carlucci (Updated)
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[...] the Republicans are supposedly interested in challenging Carlucci and the other IDCers. But again, given the IDC’s potential kingmaker [...]
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Rumors spread of primary showdown against David Carlucci
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[...] has attempted to track the source of the poll.Rockland County Republican Chairman Vincent Reda told City & State that Carlucci will face both a Democratic primary and a strong November challenge from the [...]
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In Wake of Fidler/Storobin Results, Senate Republicans Look to Play Offense | Politicker
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[...] Left unsaid from the entire discussion, of course, are the seats belonging to the four members of the Independent Democratic Conference, including State Senators Dave Carlucci and Dave Valeksy Upstate. The head of the Senate Republicans’ own campaign, Tom Libous, has indicated these IDC members would not be seriously challenged, but local Republicans may not necessarily take their cues from Albany in that regard. [...]
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