Primary Reinstated After Second Appellate Division Decision

PEEKSKILL – Last Wednesday afternoon, New York State’s 2nd Division of the Appellate Court issued a ruling overturning the State Supreme Court and allowing for a primary in which two Republican Party endorsed candidates will try to take the Democratic line. With their decision, the Appellate Court is giving the Republican slate the opportunity to deceive voters into thinking that their slate is the progressive choice.

This primary is an attempt by the Republican Party to deceive voters by depriving them of a choice on election day.

The Republican backed candidates, Robert Sullivan and Luis Segarra, are not two Democrats running independently in a primary. They are running on the Republican line along with a Republican endorsed slate with a Republican set of platform ideas and values. If they win this primary they will end up on both the Republican and Democratic ballot lines in November. Voters will be left with no real choice.

This effort, which wastes the money of the taxpayers they hope to represent, is an underhanded effort to run unopposed in the General Election. “This is an effort by the Republicans to present their candidates as progressives with Peekskill’s best interests at heart, but they have already cost taxpayers thousands in lawsuits. If this is how they want to operate, it’s a shame for Peekskill,” said Mayoral candidate Andre Rainey.

This is not the first time that the Republicans slate has put the interests of a few over the interests of the community; just last year, Candidate Robert Sullivan sued the city. That lawsuit resulted in a tax hike of nearly 5.9% for the entire community. “It would appear that The Republicans are united in one thing; suing to get their way above all else,” said Council Candidate Ramon Fernandez.

While a primary would coincide with the County Executive primary, it is still an unnecessary procedure. “The Republicans are attempting to deceive voters into supporting policies that will hurt Peekskill overall by concentrating power into the hands of a few. Our slate wants to produce a better Peekskill,” said Council Candidate Vanessa Agudelo.

Voters in Peekskill deserve a real choice come November 7th and will not be tricked by this primary power-play from the Republican Party. Agudelo, Fernandez and Smith are the true progressive slate that represents all of Peekskill. “This primary will be an opportunity to demonstrate that voters won’t be tricked into thinking otherwise.  Primaries are supposed to expand democracy, not manipulate it,” said Council Candidate Colin Smith.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email