Politics & Government

Pelham 2012 Election Guide

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Pelham and the rest of Westchester County.



With election gearing, Patch is also gearing up its election coverage.

Things heat up on June 26 when U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel, D-Westchester/Bronx, squares off against Aniello M.A. Grimaldi, an attorney from the Bronx.

Engel currently represents a region that includes the northwestern part of the Bronx, traveling north up Yonkers, the Rivertowns and part of Tarrytown, and connects to southern Rockland via the Tappan Zee Bridge. Now, his district will become geographically compact, remaining in the Bronx while picking up part of Lowey's southern Westchester area. His district will be renumbered from the 17th to the 16th.

That is the only primary scheduled for that district.

Challengers include Republican Joseph McLaughlin and Green Party candidate Joseph Diaferia.

Another Primary to keep an eye on is the Republican primaries for the seat held Incumbent U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Bob Turner, who grabbed Anthony Wiener's seat and then had it redistricted out from under him, is facing off against Wendy Long, George Maragos in the GOP primary. Colila Clark of the Green Party and Dr. Scott Noren as an Independent are running, as well. Patch has an interview with Noren, of Ithaca, here: http://patch.com/A-vjgF

State Legislative Races

The seats of state Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, and state Senator Jeffrey Klein, D-BronxWestchester, are  currently up for re-election.

Paulin, who has been in office since, represents the 88th District: Bronxville, Eastchester, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Scarsdale, Tuckahoe, and parts of New Rochelle and White Plains. She is the chairwoman of the Assembly Committee on Children and Families. Most recently, Paulin has made headlines for her proposed legislation on animal shelters and pet store regulations. http://patch.com/A-tQtc Newcomer René Atayan, a Bronxville resident, is running as a Candidate for State Assembly, 88th District. Atayan’s Web site can be found here: http://www.atayanforassembly.com/index.php

Klein, who has been in office since 2004, joined the Independent Democratic Conference along with Senators Diane Savino, D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn; David Valesky, D-Oneida; and David Carlucci,D-Rockland. As a group, they advocate for commonsense solutions to the problems facing New York and work hard to restore the public's trust in its public officials.

During his time in office, Klein introduced the "DNA upon arrest" bill, requires DNA collection upon arrest for more than two dozen of the worst crimes instead of, as current law mandates, requiring DNA collection upon conviction. He has also introduced a bill that would crack down on cyberbullying.

The primary for the state Legislator is scheduled to take place Sept. 11. Check back for more election coverage.


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