Politics & Government

Democrats Endorse Republican Day For County Executive

A host of current and former Democratic elected officials threw their support behind the Republican candidate for Rockland County executive on Tuesday.

Ed Day received endorsements from Democratic office holders at the county, town and village level from across Rockland.

“He truly epitomizes the word citizen legislator having worked in the private sector he knows what needs to be done,” said Pomona Mayor Brett Yagel. “We are standing now at a juncture with our county government on the brink of insolvency basically and Ed has presented a detailed plan that can help us get out of this. While there is no quick pill to resolve this issue he has outlined what needs to be done.” 

Another elected official who crossed party lines was current County Legislator Joe Meyers from Ramapo.

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“One thing is important and that is to have somebody in public office in a leadership position like Rockland County executive who has the independence from vested interests so that he can get the job done in an unencumbered way,” said Meyers as he repeated his endorsement of Day.  

Former Piermont Mayor Dennis Hardy described Day as someone with the vision and leadership that Rockland needs. 

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“But these are not simply elected officials; they are elected officials who like me believe the compelling issues facing this county demand an approach of people over politics,” said Day. “They are registered democrats who understand and agree with a simple precept – there is no Democratic or Republican way to govern; that the only way to govern is to put the people’s interest first.”

Democratic public officials who endorsed Day were Airmont Mayor Veronica Boesch, Deputy Mayor Anthony Valenti and Trustee Ralph Bracco and Montebello Deputy Mayor Lance Millman and Trustee Stacy Caridi. Former Democratic elected officials including county legislator Bob Jackson, Clarkstown Town Councilman Steve Kunis and Wesley Hills Mayor Bob Frankl also threw their support behind Day. Recently former New York Governor George Pataki and former Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno endorsed him.

“The sheer diversity of the endorsements I have received is humbling,” said Day listing economic, ethnic, civic, labor and law enforcement groups that have backed him.

He said people are crossing party lines because of the county’s financial position.

“There is no Democratic or Republican way to do the right thing locally,” said Day during the press conference in front of the county courthouse. 

Day is running against Democrat David Fried and Conservative Thomas Sullivan.


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