Westchester GOP Committee Begins Endorsements

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The Westchester County Republican Committee began choosing candidates on Tuesday, the first night of its nominating convention. Topping their choices: Shrub Oak resident Maureen McArdle-Schulman, who is running for Congress in the 17th District.

Westchester Republican Chairman Doug Colety said additional candidates are scheduled to be endorsed next week.

Colety said they weighed the fact that the 17th is an open seat for the first time in 30 years. Rep. Nita Lowey is retiring at the end of her term.

"The Democratic Party is in disarray with that seat, going to go through a very contentious primary," he told Patch. "We are very optimistic that we can win the seat in November."

GOP leaders said they wanted to end "one-party rule," faulting Democrats particularly for allowing undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses, the "sanctuary county" policy and the justice reforms that ended cash bail for most non-violent crimes.

"The Republican Party’s commitment to running common sense candidates who will uphold community values and protect all residents continues next week as our convention process moves forward," Colety said in a news release.

Here are the first seven endorsements:

• Congressional District 17: Maureen McArdle Schulman - retired NYC Fire Lieutenant from Yorktown
• Senate District 37: Dr. Liviu Saimovici - ophthalmologist from Rye City
• Senate District 38: George Hoehmann - Clarkstown Supervisor
• Assembly District 94: Kevin Byrne - incumbent nominated for re-election
• Assembly District 95: Lawrence Chiulli - E-4 Specialist with the New York Army National Guard, who has been an active community member in Cortlandt and ran in 2018
• Family Court Judge: Ken Bunting - attorney from Greenburgh with many years of service in the Family Court - second run for this seat
• Senate District 34 - James Gisondi from the Bronx