Candidate Profile: Alex Roithmayr For State Assembly

HUDSON VALLEY, NY - New Yorkers will be hitting the polls on June 23 for the primary election to choose which representatives 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 State Assembly in District 93.

The district contains all of Interstate 684 in Westchester County and includes Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and White Plains. The current officeholder, David Buchwald, is running for Congress in District 17.

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.

Alex Roithmayr is seeking the Democratic line on the ballot in November. His opponents in the June 23 primary are Kristen Browde, Chris Burdick, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson and Mark Jaffe.

The 30-year-old White Plains resident knows the 93rd District well: he was hired by Buchwald as a community liaison and ended as chief of staff. A founding member and vice president of the White Plains Lions Club, he has served as vice president of the Westchester Young Democrats since 2017. A Marist College graduate, he is in the MPA program at Pace University.

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Alex Roithmayr:

Why are you seeking elective office?

I've been both community liaison and chief of staff to current Assembly member David Buchwald for 7 years. I want to continue doing the hard work for the constituents of the 93rd District, and I know I am the only qualified candidate that can hit the ground running on day one.

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

We cannot sit idly by for one more day without addressing socio-economic and racial inequalities. We must ensure it is addressed in the state's post COVID-19 recovery – making sure our front line workers have the PPE and support they need; supporting our main streets and small businesses as they navigate the recovery; and make sure our social safety nets and bureaucracy do not breakdown again during a crisis. We also need to be forward-thinking, holding police accountable; providing access to quality education; and working to bridge the gaps between our neighbors so that everyone in Westchester can engage in the pursuit of happiness.

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

The critical difference between me and the other candidates is that I have the direct knowledge of what this job entails and how to be successful for our district in the state legislature. After working for Assemblyman Buchwald for the better part of a decade, I have gained the skills needed to deliver a high level of effectiveness for the people of the 93rd. My opponents might have transferable skills, but I have the direct skills. I'm also of a new generation that has been dealt blow after blow, and yet perseveres. As children we watched thousands of people die on 9/11 - on our own state's soil. We graduated from college and into a job market during what was one of our worst ever recessions. And now we have been faced with a global pandemic as we struggle to start our own families, buy our own homes, and take on the mantle of leadership for our nation. We are ready and able to not only represent our own generation, but those that came before and those yet to come.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Housing: we can ensure that Westchester is a place where all good, hard-working people can create a home and raise a family. I will create and support legislation that: helps relieve the burden on homeowners; provides for more affordable renting options; and no longer allows developers to be allowed to buy their way out of creating affordable housing.

Climate Change: we can create legislation to see all of these solutions put into place and tax incentives passed to make people and businesses act. Expanding the use of clean energy is essential. We can do this by: considering solar, wind, or geothermal installation to help offset any new or remodeled home or building’s carbon footprint; making solar and wind farms commonplace in areas that can accommodate them; building new greenspaces in any area slated for development; and increasing the number of electric car charging ports so it’s an easier decision to purchase an electric automobile.

Good Government: you expect us to deliver and for the last seven years that is what I have done and plan to keep doing for everyone who calls this district home. Throughout my time in the Assembly, I worked with constituents to: hold utility companies accountable for their poor storm preparedness; work with doctors and battle insurance companies to help lower medical bills; direct millions of dollars to municipalities and non profits; and help craft a constitutional amendment to strip corrupt public officials of their public funded pensions, amongst many other important issues.

Student Debt: we can ensure that Westchester residents have access to affordable higher education. As a member of the Assembly, I will create and support legislation that: supports the State University of New York and City University of New York systems, including our own SUNY Purchase; supports and expands the Excelsior Program and the Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program; and explores making our Community Colleges tuition-free.

Women's Rights: we can ensure that women in New York are treated and protected equally. As a member of the Assembly, I will create and support legislation that: fights for economic justice like equal pay and the repeal of the "pink tax"; allows greater access to feminine hygiene products; and increases funding for safe and secure shelters for victims of domestic violence.

Combating Hate: we can put an end to bigotry and injustice. Our communities has seen an increase in anti-semitic hate and attacks on our minority communities, and this should never be accepted as anorm in Westchester or anywhere. As a legislator I will work diligently to craft and support that legislation that helps move our society toward a more equal and acceptable world for all.

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

During my time in the NYS Assembly, I helped pass over 65 bills into law. I have helped with over 500 constituent cases. My efforts have worked to direct millions of dollars of state funding to our towns, schools and libraries. Together with Assemblymember David Buchwald I've passed a constitutional amendment that stripped tax payer pension from corrupt public officials, and we passed a bill that would expose Donald Trump's State tax returns.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

That being a good state representative is about balance – the balance of going up to Albany to legislate and represent the need of the district, nut also being present in the community and filling the potholes, supporting local businesses, and helping constituents in their day to day lives.

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

Although I have been working in the NYS Assembly for 7 years, I was told by local Democratic committees that I need to "wait my turn" or "that I am not next in line" to run for office. I reject this notion of a political "queue" that I need to join. I have more experience than all of my opponents put together. We have no time for a learning curve. There is a lot of work that needs to get done and I am the best individual to deliver a high level of service from day one.

Campaign website: https://alexroithmayr.com/