Upper East Side Assembly Race Turns Turbulent: What To Know

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A contentious race for a State Assembly seat on the Upper East Side has been marked by twists and turns since the spring and remains up in the air this week, even as absentee voting is underway in New York.

Initially a three-way race, the 76th District election pitted incumbent Rebecca Seawright against Republican Louis Puliafito and Patrick Bobilin, a progressive mounting an independent challenge. Seawright, too, has been forced to run as an independent after she was booted off the Democratic ticket this spring for failing to file paperwork on time.

The Seawright campaign has spent months trying to kick Bobilin off the ballot, arguing in court that he hasn't lived in New York long enough to meet the state's residency requirements. After a trial court ruled in Bobilin's favor last month, an appeals court sided with Seawright last week and the state's highest court declined to hear Bobilin's appeal Thursday, casting doubt on his ability to remain a candidate this fall.

Bobilin's campaign said the ruling was wrongly decided and that they had filed a motion to re-argue the case. His name will remain on the General Election ballots, which have already been printed, even if he is deemed ineligible.

The race hasn't been pretty. Bobilin released a video calling Seawright a "Trump Democrat" over her ties to prominent Republicans, Puliafito knocked Seawright after she opened a campaign office in the building where he works as a doorman, and Seawright accused Puliafito and the GOP of using "Soviet Union-style" methods to challenge her eligibility.

Seawright, meanwhile, has been boosted by a $100,000 donation from the state Democratic Party, seeking to protect its incumbents, according to a report by Newsday.

Where the candidates stand

In the run-up to the election, Patch asked each candidate to fill out the same questionnaire to help voters understand why they're running, as well as their positions on a few major issues.

In the coming weeks, we'll publish full profiles of each candidate. For now, here are portions of the responses from all three candidates. (Patch is including Patrick Bobilin's answers, despite uncertainty over whether he will remain a candidate.)

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Bobilin: how we're going to bounce back from COVID.

Parents are worried about teaching from home and sending their kids to school. Local businesses are worried about keeping the doors open. Long-time residents are worried about paying their overinflated rents.

We need to fully fund our public schools and divert emergency funds to pay teachers hazard pay and to incentivize parents to keep their kids at home, leaving just the kids who need the most attention or the kids who rely on school for meals to attend in-person teaching. A temporary 25-cent gas tax and a one-time millionaires tax is the way to get this done.

We also need to cancel rent universally, for both commercial and residential renters. I would not only co-sponsor but hit the road to organize support for the bills introduced by AM Niou and Senator Gianaris.

Seawright: The ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis and its repercussions are the most important issues facing my district, our state, and our nation.

First, we must ensure that we have sufficient PPE proper protocols in place for our essential workers, which I strongly advocated for in Albany.

Second, the economic impact of the virus has also been immense. We must continue to support congressional efforts to pass federal relief to the states, which impacts so importantly on New York. Our office has helped numerous constituents and small businesses apply for loans so they can stay afloat.

Third, we need to make sure that our public schools and universities are able to provide the education that students deserve while protecting the health of students and teachers.

Puliafito: The most important issue is post-pandemic personal financial debt. We need to keep people in their homes and not be burdened with debt assumed during the pandemic. We must focus on Main Street and not Wall Street.

Wall Street should let the market determine the winners and losers and not ask for bailouts. We need to keep people in their homes without the burden of back payments of rent and mortgage. We need a living wage. We need healthcare access for all. For our children to thrive we must address these issues.

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

Bobilin: I have a history of [being] an organizer in the community. I have a 100% volunteer campaign. I have been a civil rights and social justice organizer for 20 years.

I am not also accepting any contributions from Trump supporters, police unions, or members of the New York GOP establishment.

Seawright: I have a proven record of fighting for and obtaining resources for the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island. In the years since I was elected I have worked tirelessly to provide essential constituent services to the people of my district. I have been a leader in Albany in the quest for equal rights regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or nation of origin.

My longstanding ties and assistance to the community and my strong and proven legislative record make me uniquely qualified to represent the people of the Upper East Side, Yorkville, and Roosevelt Island.

My Republican opponent refuses to denounce Donald Trump, whose mismanagement of the pandemic crisis and anti-urban policies has severely hurt our city and state immensely. Trump’s attacks on the election process, our Post Office, and blocking of federal relief all impact our local challenges. His response to the public health crisis has been riddled with reckless failure. I am proud to be on the Biden/Harris team having been elected by the voters in June. My Republican opponent and I stand worlds apart.

Puliafito: The difference between myself and Rebecca Seawright (as of now Patrick Bobilin is in court) is she is an empty suit just following party orders. She has rubberstamped all democratic bills without argument. Seawright does not care for our community and puts her community at risk. Otherwise she would have voted against Bail Reform as it was presented. She would have sponsored real housing reform. The UES is undergoing another round of gentrification. The election reform that was passed has made it harder for individuals to get on the ballot. She is currently trying to kick off Patrick Bobilin from the ballot. The election reforms haven’t stopped her from amassing a huge war chest. She has currently spent $250K and has raised about $350K. She wants to buy the election. The Democratic party just wants to keep the power. She says what is convenient at the time as is the case at Roosevelt Island. She says that she supports the Roosevelt Island residents but covers for the underhanded dealings of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation which the governor controls.

I am a down to earth person and can talk to anyone. I can cross the aisle to facilitate responsible laws and I will call out wrongdoings of both parties. I think for myself and do not bend to party pressure. I will stand up for the ordinary people, less fortunate, and disenfranchised no matter the cost of the next election. I want to level the playing field so that our children can have a better life than ours.

Previous coverage from Patch:

• Judge Dismisses Eligibility Challenge In UES Assembly Race
• Activist Launches Independent Run For UES State Assembly Seat
  
• UES Incumbent Kicked Off Ballot Will Run As Independent