Ex-Gov. Pataki Endorses Rye Republican Killian For State Senate

YONKERS, NY — Former Gov. George Pataki has endorsed fellow Republican Julie Killian for state Senate in a high-stakes special election for District 37. Pataki threw his support behind Killian, a former Rye councilwoman, on Wednesday at her campaign office in Yonkers.

Pataki says Killian has a fresh perspective and the necessary "fighting spirit" required to challenge the status quo.

“Julie’s focus on affordability, opportunity and security is important," Pataki said. "We need Julie Killian in the State Senate to fight to change the school aid formula to better educate our children and lower taxes, make permanent the property tax cap, keep businesses here and create more jobs, keep our children and families safe by supporting common sense gun laws, protect Westchester’s clean air and clean water, and focus on ways to address the heroin and opioid epidemic."

Killian said she was honored to have Pataki’s support. She said his legacy is "far-reaching" in Westchester County and throughout the state.

"Under his leadership, New Yorkers paid over $140 billion less in taxes, we became the safest large state in America and preserved over 1 million acres of open space," she said. "Most importantly, for 12 years he led Albany with honest and effective government. I am delighted to have his support in this important election.”

The announcement comes more than a month after Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo endorsed Killian's opponent, state Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer, a Democrat from Yonkers.

The special election is slated for April 24. The seat was vacated on New Years' Day by Democratic Sen. George Latimer, who cruised to victory in November to win the top county job in Westchester.

The 37th District includes the cities of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle, as well as Bedford, Harrison, Mamaroneck, North Castle and Rye. Killian, a mother of five, ran for the seat two years ago as well.

The Westchester election is vital for Democrats, who hope to retake control of the state Senate. Democrats control 30 of the state's 63 total Senate seats and Republicans control 31 them. There are two vacancies.

Republicans have alligned themselves with Brooklyn Democratic Sen. Simcha Felder and the eight-member Independent Democratic Conference.

Should Mayer win, Democrats would have a majority and Cuomo could negotiate a deal to reunify the party," the New York Daily News reported.

Photo credit: Julie Killian Campaign: Aaron Reale, used with permission