Candidate Profile: McArdle Schulman For Congress

HUDSON VALLEY, NY - New Yorkers will be hitting the polls on June 23 for the primary election to choose who will be on the ballot for the general election in November.

Among the local races, some residents of the Hudson Valley will be able to elect who will run for New York's 17th congressional district. The seat was occupied by longtime longtime U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, who announced in October that she will not be seeking re-election this year.

The district covers central and northwestern Westchester County and all of Rockland County.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Maureen McArdle-Schulman is seeking the Republican line on the ballot in November. Her opponent in the June 23 primary is Yehudis Gottesfeld.

McArdle Schulman is a retired New York City firefighter. One of the city's first female firefighters, she spent her career in East Harlem at Engine 35. The 61-year-old has two daughters and three grandchildren. She and her husband live in Shrub Oak. She was educated at SUNY Farmingdale and SUNY Oswego. While she's never been in political office, her brother Jerry Schulman Jr. is on the Mount Pleasant town council.

A cancer survivor, McArdle Schulman said her motivation to run for Congress is a direct result of her love of family and country. "I can no longer sit back in good conscience and watch what is happening to the country I love. Morale is low and the privileged get special consideration while the rest of us follow the rule of law. It is apparent we are becoming a nation of haters, complainers and whiners. We blame each other, point fingers and gossip, because of our political views."

Campaign website: www.maureen4congress@aol.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with McArdle Schulman:

Patch: Why are you seeking elective office?

Love of family, community and country. Our country was founded on individual rights of each person to chose their lifestyle and religion, to be governed by consent not mandate. The right to keep your hard earned income, free speech and the pursuit of happiness free from excessive government interference. Our individual rights and freedoms are currently under attack. We are being forced into conformity of opinion and speech by those claiming to be politically correct.
Everyone in America is special and each one of us plays a key roll in the survival and prosperity of the USA. We will always have differences in ideologies, but we are still Americans and are part of the solution.

The country we carry in our hearts is waiting, let’s put aside our political differences and work together for the good of our country.

P: The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community and what I intend to do about it.

It seems to change by the hour, in January it was attacks on religions, February it was coronavirus, May it Is the murder of George FLOYD. We also have the issues of the shutdown of the nuclear power plant that supplied electricity to 25% of Westchester County and NYC. I know I just want to throw money at problems. Hopefully common sense will prevail in fixing these issues.

P: What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am a true conservative Republican. My opponent has not stated specifics about her Republican values

P: If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

P: Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I believe that all life is precious from before birth to our most vulnerable senior citizens. I also know that only the Supreme Court can change Roe vs Wade.

P: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I put out burning buildings for a living, I know how to work hard. I commuted to Manhattan for work was taking care of my two kids and a house. I certainly would have been at work in DC, during the Coronavirus, not homebound because Nancy Pelosi said I couldn’t go to work.

P: The best advice ever shared with me was:

My mom always told me if you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing at all

P: What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have a very nice life, I don’t need this job, but I could no longer sit back and watch what is happening to the country I love. This country is a mess right now and I don’t want to leave this mess to my 3 grand kids. I have to know that at least I tried to make changes even if it is someone’s heart.