Politics on the Hudson

A round-up of endorsements for Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and his Republican opponent, Dr. Nan Hayworth of Mount Kisco. See other endorsements here.

New York State Chiefs of Police Endorse Nan Hayworth

PRESS RELEASE, October 1, 2010

Carmel, N.Y. – The New York State Chiefs of Police (NYS COP), representing over 500 chiefs of police across the state, has endorsed Nan Hayworth’s candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat of New York. Hayworth received strong support from the local chiefs of police in the District.

Michael Biasotti, Second Vice President of the NYS COP and Chief of the New Windsor Police Department, stated, “The Chiefs work with our federal law enforcement partners all the time. We need members of Congress who understand our issues, and can fight for us in Washington, D.C. Nan Hayworth is that candidate and the chiefs are proud to stand with her.”

Dominic Giudice, NYS COP Governor of Zone 1 and Chief of the Monroe Police Department, commented, “Nan Hayworth understands how important local law enforcement is to public safety and national security. I am proud to join my fellow chiefs in supporting her candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat of New York.”

“Receiving the endorsement of the New York State Chiefs of Police is a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Hayworth.  ”Our leaders in law enforcement play a crucial role in our local communities and in our national security, and I am proud to stand with the Chiefs as we move forward in the campaign.”
Hayworth has the Republican, Conservative and Independence lines on the Nov. 2 ballot for the 19th District.

The New York State Chiefs of Police is a not for profit organization that represents more than 500 Chiefs of Police across New York State. The NYS COP’s membership consists of Police Chiefs, Commissioners, Superintendents, Executives, Administrators, and Agents-in-Charge. For more information about the New York State Chiefs of Police, please visit the website.

New York State Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Nan Hayworth

PRESS RELEASE, September 27, 2010.

Carmel, N.Y. – The New York State Fraternal Order of Police (NYS FOP), the oldest and largest national association of law enforcement professionals, endorsed Dr. Nan Hayworth’s candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat of New York. The NYS FOP makes endorsements to candidates for public office based on his or her support of police professionals.

Michael Essig, Second Vice President of the NYS FOP, stated, “The New York State Fraternal Order of Police needs someone in Congress who is a friend to law enforcement, who understands our issues and the value we provide to the community, the state and the nation. Nan Hayworth is that friend.”

Jim O’Neill, Vice President of Zone 1, stated, “The New York State Fraternal Order of Police is excited to endorse Nan Hayworth. She understands the kind of risks that law enforcement officers take everyday, and the incredible sacrifice that they and their families make. We are proud to stand by Nan Hayworth in her candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat New York.”

Nan Hayworth stated, “I am honored to receive the New York State Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement. Local law enforcement is an integral part of our communities on the front lines ensuring our safety and security. This campaign is not about one candidate; it’s about every citizen of our District, and I will be very proud to represent our members of the New York State Fraternal Order of Police.”

The New York State Fraternal Order of Police is the New York Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police. The FOP is the world’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges.

BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF THE HUDSON VALLEY ENDORSES NAN HAYWORTH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For the first time in the organization’s history, the Builders Association of the Hudson Valley has endorsed a political candidate, with its endorsement of Dr. Nan Hayworth’s candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat of New York. The Builders Association’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to support Dr. Hayworth.

Pete Nurzia of Nurzia Construction is the BAHV 2010 Board President.  Nurzia stated, “While our organization has traditionally refrained from formally endorsing candidates, the time and the candidate were right this year.  In Dr. Hayworth, we believe, the homebuilding industry has found an eager ear, a strong voice and a business-friendly advocate who we can rely on.”

“The Builders Association is excited to endorse Dr. Hayworth.  Our industry is so desperately in need of a strong and dependable ally in the House of Representatives who understands our issues,” said Rachel Neuhaus, Director of Government Affairs.

“In 2010, the construction industry was nearly dealt a fatal blow when Congress almost passed legislation requiring costly mandates to be burdened solely by the construction industry; singling us out over every other business.  We need an advocate who will stand up for us, and fight for equitable regulation,” said Steve Rieger of Rieger Homes and Chairman of the Builders Association Government Affairs Committee.

Hayworth stated, “I’m deeply honored to have the support of the Builders Association of the Hudson Valley. The Builders provide countless jobs and invest millions of dollars in the local economy. Unfortunately, current unemployment and the lack of available credit have put a strain on the Homebuilders in our region. As a member of Congress, I will work tirelessly to rein in federal spending, restore balance to the budget, and enact policies that encourage strong economic growth.”

The Builders Association of the Hudson Valley, Inc. is a not-for profit trade association representing the interests and needs of the residential building industry in Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties since 1952, and is comprised of 600 members.

Alliance for Retired Americans Endorses John Hall – Hall will Protect Social Security –
Beacon, NY – The Alliance for Retired Americans announced it has endorsed John Hall for Congress in New York’s 19th District. Representing almost 700,000 retirees in New York State, ARA’s endorsement is based on Hall’s consistent advocacy on behalf of our nation’s seniors.

“Your positions demonstrate a strong commitment to improve the quality of life for older Americans. Your leadership on issues such as preserving and protecting Social Security from privatization and benefits cuts, especially in 2010, the 75th anniversary year of the program, exhibits that commitment,” wrote Barbara Easterling, the Alliance’s President, in their letter endorsing Rep. Hall. She continued: “The Alliance for Retired Americans believes that your election to the House of Representatives will enhance the quality of life for older Americans”

“I am honored to receive the support of the Alliance for Retired Americans. We must all keep fighting to protect Social Security and Medicare,” John Hall said, in accepting the endorsement. “If you worked hard through your career, you have earned security in your retirement. As long as I am in Congress, I will fight the effort to privatize these programs that all American’s count on.”

“This endorsement underscores the choice facing Hudson Valley voters this fall,” Hall’s campaign manager Patrick McGarrity added. “Nan Hayworth supports the privatization of Social Security, something that would put the retirements of our seniors at extreme risk while lining the pockets of wealthy Wall Street investment bankers. If Hayworth’s radical privatization plan had been in place the past couple of years, workers could have lost as mush as 50 percent of their retirement savings in volatile Wall Street investments.”

Following is a round-up of recent endorsements garnered by Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and his Republican opponent, Dr. Nan Hayworth of Mount Kisco. In general, I’m going to try and post endorsements in batches once or twice a week.

VFW-PAC ENDORSES REP. JOHN HALL – Cites Hall’s record on national defense and veterans –
Beacon, NY – Rep. John Hall has received the coveted endorsement from the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Political Action Committee, which is “dedicated to the support of candidates who have taken responsible positions on issues involving national defense and legislation pertaining to our nation’s veterans.”

“I am very honored to have the support of the veterans and patriots at VFW-PAC,” said Rep. Hall. “We look forward to continuing our work on behalf of our nation’s heroes.”

VFW-PAC’s endorsement coincides with John Hall’s current TV ad airing throughout the Hudson Valley entitled “Generation.” The ad references Hall’s H.R. 5892 Veterans Disability Claims Modernization Act, aimed to comprehensively modernize the claims process within the Department of Veterans Affairs to reduce the egregious claims backlog. The Times Herald Record called H.R. 5892 “the most sweeping reform of the VA disability benefits system in a generation.”
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HUMANE SOCIETY ENDORSES REP. JOHN HALL
Beacon, NY – The Humane Society Legislative Fund announced its endorsement of two-term Rep. John Hall (D-NY).

In a letter to Hall, Executive Director Sara J. Amundson said, “We are grateful for your support of humane issues, and for your work to create a more humanesociety. The Humane Society Legislative Fund looks forward to working with you in the 112th Congress to promote more humane treatment of animals.”

“I am honored to receive the support from the Humane Society,” said Rep. Hall. “As a lifelong animal lover, I stand ready to support further efforts to foster the humane treatment of animals.”

Amundson concluded, “The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization which works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. We base our endorsements solely on a candidate’s positions and actions on animal welfare issues, regardless of party affiliation.”
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MITT ROMNEY ENDORSES NAN HAYWORTH FOR CONGRESS

Former Republican Governor of Massachusetts, Republican presidential candidate and founder of the Free and Strong America Political Action Committee, Mitt Romney, endorsed Dr. Nan Hayworth’s candidacy for the 19th Congressional seat of New York.
“These tough economic times call for common sense, pro-growth solutions. Dr. Hayworth has those solutions. Her experience as a medical doctor and small business owner give her a unique perspective and necessary tools to get our nation’s economy back on track,” Romney said.
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NRA-PVF Endorses Nan Hayworth for U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 19th Congressional District

Fairfax, Va.—The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Nan Hayworth for election to the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 19th Congressional District this November.

“Nan Hayworth will be a strong defender of the Second Amendment freedoms of law-abiding gun owners, hunters and sportsmen in New York,” said Chris W. Cox, chairman of NRA-PVF. “Hayworth has earned an ‘AQ’ rating and endorsement from the NRA-PVF.”

Hayworth supports national right-to-carry reciprocity, right-to-carry permit holder confidentiality and efforts to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  She also believes sportsmen should have access to federally owned or administered lands for hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting. She will fight against ongoing efforts to dismantle our Second Amendment by anti-gun politicians.

A state Supreme Court justice in Albany today dismissed an effort by Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and some supporters to knock his Republican opponent, Dr. Nan Hayworth, off the Independence Party line on the November ballot.

Decision

CQ Politics is taking another look at Congressional races around the country as the primaries fade away and candidates gear up for November.

It also means that it is time for CQ Politics to do a sweeping assessment of the current House playing field and update our race ratings to reflect a battleground that is still tilted heavily toward Republicans but coming into clearer focus by the day. Will Republicans pick up the 39 seats needed to take back the House and install Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) as Speaker? We just don’t know yet. But Republicans are clearly well-positioned to make significant gains.

This round of race rating changes is major in that it marks the first time this cycle that we are moving Democratic incumbents into the Leans Republican category — meaning the odds are greater that they will be defeated, rather than re-elected, in November. With two notable exceptions, the bulk of changes to our ratings are positive for Republicans.

In doing so, the publication has put the race for New York’s 19th Congressional District, now represented by Democrat John Hall, in the “Moved from Leans Democratic to Tossup.” Hall is facing a challenge from Republican Dr. Nan Hayworth.

Neil DiCarlo said Monday that his decision to not continue his campaign if he loses the Republican primary in the 19th Congressional District should not be construed as support for opponent Nan Hayworth if she wins Tuesday.
DiCarlo, a Wall Street compliance officer from Brewster, indicated his policy differences with Hayworth, an opthamologist from Bedford, are too great for him to support her in the general election.
At a debate last week, DiCarlo highlighted his disagreement with Hayworth on abortion and immigration.
DiCarlo opposes abortion and Hayworth favors abortion rights.
Hayworth favors immigration reform that begins by securing the borders, but won’t support DiCarlo’s position that also calls for deporting all illegal immigrants.
Hayworth already has the Conservative Party line and has pledged to continue her campaign even if she loses the Republican primary.
The two candidates are trying to unseat two-term Democratic Rep. John Hall of Dover.
The 19th Congressional District covers Putnam County and parts of Westchester, Dutchess, Rockland and Orange counties.

Democratic Rep. John Hall’s campaign put out an announcement this morning, challenging the winner of tomorrow’s Republican primary in the race for the 19th Congressional District to four debates throughout the district.

The debates are scheduled for the October Congressional Recess and will be hosted by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Orange County Farm Bureau, the Westchester County Association, and the Eastern Putnam County League of Women Voters.

The 4 Locations Are:

WHO: Westchester County Association and RNN Congressional Candidate Debate (televised)
WHEN: 6:00pm, October 13th
WHERE: 800 Westchester Ave, Rye Brook NY

WHO: Putnam County League of Women Voters
WHEN: 7:00pm, October 19th
WHERE: Carmel VFW Post 1374, 32 Gleneida Avenue, Carmel NY

WHO: Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce
WHEN: 7:30pm, October 20th
WHERE: Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, 40 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie NY

WHO: Orange County Farm Bureau
WHEN: PENDING
WHERE: PENDING

Each organization has agreed to host both Congressman Hall and the winner of the Republican primary to participate in public candidate forums. The debates will focus on local and national issues effecting voters in the 19th Congressional District. Each debate is located in a difference part of the Hudson Valley.

“I look forward to a vigorous debate on the issues facing this district and our country,” Said Congressman Hall. “I have always relished the opportunity to debate my opponents.”

Invitations have been sent to the campaigns of Republican candidates Neil Di Carlo and Nan Hayworth.

Di Carlo and Hayworth, of course, face off in tomorrow’s GOP primary. As some of you may recall, Hayworth back in June was asking Hall to debate. At the time, his campaign said he would wait until there was an official opponent.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is endorsing Republican Dr. Nan Hayworth in the race for the 19th Congressional District, according to Hayworth’s campaign. Hayworth and Neil Di Carlo, a Wall Street compliance officer from Southeast, will face off in Tuesday’s GOP primary as they seek to unseat Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains.

Rudy Giuliani endorses Hayworth in NY-19
09-08-10
Rudolph Giuliani has enthusiastically endorsed Dr. Nan Hayworth in her run for the 19th District Congressional seat. The former New York City mayor said that Hayworth is smart, accessible and understands the grave problems facing the nation.

Giuliani, who led New York from 1994 through 2001, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, is a partner with Bracewell & Giuliani in New York City. Under his leadership, New York City became cleaner and more livable, and crime rates dropped significantly. He has been to the 19th District many times, both during and since his time as mayor.

“Nan Hayworth will be an outstanding Congresswoman in New York’s 19th Congressional District,” Giuliani said. “She’s a fiscal conservative. She understands the issues our nation faces. She’s committed to bringing real change to Washington. We desperately need more people like her in Congress.”

“I’m thrilled to have the mayor’s backing,” Hayworth said. “His leadership of New York City is an inspiration still, and he helped to rally not only New Yorkers but the entire nation after 9/11. In the years before the attacks, he also took significant steps—even in the face of skeptics—to make New York City more efficient and more livable.”

Hayworth has stressed immediate action to get the economy of District 19 and the nation moving again, particularly on the jobs front. She has considerable expertise in health care as an ophthalmologist in both private and group practice, and believes that patients will be poorly served by the health care reform bill passed this spring. She plans to lead an effort in the next Congress to repeal and replace the bill, or suspend its implementation while workable solutions are found.

Hayworth, a fiscal conservative, is seeking the seat currently held by John Hall. She has the backing of the Republican, Conservative and Independence parties. She and her husband have two sons.

Head over to Capitol Tonight to see a conversation with Neil Di Carlo, a Republican challenging Dr. Nan Hayworth in the Sept. 14th GOP primary for the 19th Congressional District. Both want to unseat Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains.

As you may recall, Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, went to court to argue that nominating petitions filed by Dr. Nan Hayworth, a Republican, in her bid to secure the Independence Party line contained invalid signatures. Therefore, he and several voters said in legal papers, she should be knocked off the line. Hayworth is one of two Republicans looking to unseat Hall.

Court proceedings began last week in Albany and aren’t over yet. Following are comments/thoughts from the two camps on the matter so far.

This came from the Hall campaign:
Albany, NY – Two days into the court review of Nan Hayworth’s Independence Party petition, three Hayworth notaries – including Hayworth’s campaign manager John Hicks – have already admitted to misconduct.

Campaign Manager John Hicks admitted, on the stand, that the Hall campaign charges against his personal petition practices were valid – despite statements in the press dismissing them. When Hicks was pressed by Hall campaign attorney Joshua Ehrlich as to whether he had upheld New York State law by swearing in signers, Hicks’ only reply was “No, not in the traditional sense.”

In an attempt to prevent the Hall campaign from linking his personal petition practices to the campaign he manages, Hicks denied coordinating the Hayworth petition process. When pressed as to who had coordinated the effort, Hicks first claimed that he did not know, then insisted that no one had coordinated it.

“I’m glad that Mr. Hicks came clean that he never swore in signers, despite a clear legal requirement for him to do so. He’s an experienced attorney and this is not his first election. He should have known better than to break the law,” Hall campaign manager Patrick McGarrity said. “However, his efforts to deny that anyone in the Hayworth campaign coordinated their petition efforts is disingenuous at best. Somehow, a petition arrived at the New York State Board of Elections in Albany.”

One other Hayworth notary admitted to not swearing in signers. Other notaries defended their practices, despite affidavits collected by the Hall campaign from signers who claim they were not sworn in.

In the most egregious case of fraud identified so far, Hayworth notary Dipika Patel maintained her claim that she herself had collected over 70 signatures for the Hayworth campaign. This, despite her husband (Yorktown Councilman Vishnu Patel) contradicting her on the stand, admitting that he had collected a signature in her absence. He went on to say that after collecting the signature he returned the page to his wife for her to notarize. Though Vishnu claimed that it only happened once, calling it “a mistake”, the Hall campaign has collected multiple affidavits, and alleges that the Patels systematically committed fraud. Vishnu Patel is neither a notary nor a member of the Independence Party and cannot legally collect signatures on the line.

“It seems more than suspect that the only instance of fraud that Patel admitted to is the one that was extensively covered by News 12 in the days preceding his appearance in court,” Hall manager McGarrity said. “Patel went into the trial knowing specifically of one signature that we had evidence against. There is absolutely no credibility to his claim that this one ‘mistake’ is the limit to the fraud he perpetrated.

The Hayworth campaign said their assessment was the opposite of the Hall campaign’s description.

This was the response from the Hayworth campaign.

Statement by the Hayworth campaign regarding the Elections court proceedings brought by John Hall to keep the Independence Party line empty on Nov. 2:

From Guy Parisi, attorney and specialist in election law, who is representing the Hayworth campaign:
“This effort to mischaracterize the judicial proceedings for political purposes and cheap political gain borders on professional misconduct. It is unethical to use pending judicial proceedings for political gain in this way, particularly when the Hall campaign’s release is misleading as to what occurred in court. I believe that after the judge has had an opportunity to review all the evidence, this lawsuit will either be withdrawn or dismissed.”
Parisi noted the irony of the Hall campaign attacking the Patels, who are registered Democrats, who gathered most of their signatures as a couple.

“Hall has attacked the Patels for their signature gathering, and the curious thing is that the Patels gathered 190 signatures for Hall, which he has accepted. They went house-to-house, Democrat and Independence, Democrat and Independence.”

From Douglas Cunningham, communications director:
“Once again, we categorically deny any fraud or misconduct in relation to this case. We will refrain from characterizing the judicial proceedings until they’ve concluded. Once that happens, not only are we confident of victory, we’ll have plenty to say. Much like there’s no ‘summer recovery’ in our nation’s economy, there’s no fraud here by the Hayworth campaign.”

Many of the Republican candidates running in primaries next month for state Assembly, Senate and Congress across Putnam and northern Westchester, as well as Putnam County executive, came out last night to a forum sponsored by the Concerned Residents of Carmel and Mahopac.

The event provided the first public face-off between state Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson, and Putnam Legislator Mary Ellen Odell, R-Carmel. The two are vying to become the next Putnam County Executive. The past few weeks have featured Leibell trying to (unsuccessfully) knock Odell off the ballot by objecting to signatures on her nominating petitions. The two debated who was better prepared to lead Putnam County and how much blame Leibell, who has been in Albany for 28 years, should shoulder for the state’s tax burden.

Leibell explained he has only one vote afforded to him by the state Constitution. Odell, who is in her fifth year as a county lawmaker, argued that for much of his time in Albany, Leibell was a member of the majority party and, therefore, had more of an opportunity to change things.

In addition to those candidates, Neil Di Carlo, a Wall Street compliance officer from Southeast who is waging a primary against Dr. Nan Hayworth in the contest to unseat Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, also spoke to the crowd inside the Mahopac Library. Hayworth, a retired ophthalmologist from Mount Kisco, didn’t make the question-and-answer period but showed up at the event’s end to greet voters.

In the GOP primary races for the 40th state Senate District and the 99th Assembly District, only Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy (Senate) and former Southeast town justice Jim Borkowski (Assembly) showed up. Assemblyman Greg Ball, Murphy’s challenger for Leibell’s seat, and Steve Katz, Borkowski’s challenger, didn’t attend.

Ball had scheduled his own debate in Somers and contended Murphy was avoiding him by attending the Mahopac event. Murphy, however, said she and Ball were both invited to the Mahopac forum more than a month ago and it was Ball who was avoiding her.

Putnam County Legislator Tony Fusco, R-Mahopac, and Carmel Councilman Anthony DiCarlo, who are vying for the GOP line in the race for Putnam County Legislature, District 9, and Carl Albano, a Republican who is running to represent District 5 on the Legislature, also spoke and answered questions.

Read more about this tomorrow on Lohud.com and in The Journal News.