GOP Candidates Withdraw From Clarkstown Races

Clarkstown Republican Chair Bob Axelrod notified committee members on Wednesday that town supervisor candidate Ralph Riverso, and town clerk candidate Kathleen Sheridan had withdrawn from their races. Riverso said his reason was “basically for my health.” Sheridan of Valley Cottage was dropping out of the clerk’s race because of  “serious personal difficulties” according to Axelrod. 

When asked why he had changed his mind about seeking the town supervisor post, Riverso of Valley Cottage said the petition signature gathering process had drained him.  Riverso, who said he has a heart condition, said while he had the desire to run, “I don’t have the ability to do it physically.” 

Both candidates had submitted their petitions for the Republican Party line to the county Board of Elections on Wednesday, July 10. It was the first run for elected office for both of them. Riverso works for the county Board of Elections and Sheridan is the daughter-in-law of former town clerk Patricia Sheridan. 

Riverso, who hopes Axelrod will be able to bring a write-in candidate to the executive committee and to the ballot for the November election, said he will not support someone other than a Republican.

In his message Axelrod urged anyone interested in running for either post to contact him by Friday. 

With Riverso’s decision to pull out of the race, incumbent Town Supervisor Alex Gromack’s only challenger may be the candidate of the fledging Clarkstown Preservation Society, Brian Moran. Gromack of Congers submitted petitions for the Democratic, Working Families, Independence and Conservative party lines last week. Incumbent Town Clerk Justin Sweet of New City also filed for the same four party lines and is unopposed.