Andy Spano Campaign Manager Says “We Did Not Seek the Independence Party Line”

We recently spoke with Paul Bader, campaign manager for Andy Spano’s re-election for county executive. Bader challenged our coverage of the Independence Party’s role in the county executive’s race.

Recently, the Independence Party endorsed Rob Astorino for county executive, and numerous sources have told us that the Spano campaign was actively seeking the nomination, including using the $100,000 county DSS job of Dhyalma Vazquez, Yonkers Independence Chair, as a bargaining chip.

Bader called our coverage “totally erroneous.” “We were not interested in the Independence Party this year. It wasn’t a question of a choice being made we were never interested, and no effort was made.”

Possible reasons why the Spano campaign wasn’t interested in the Independence Party include the relationship betwee West Ind Chair Dr. Guilio Cavallo and Sam Zherka, publisher of the Westchester Guardian and an admitted target of a Manhattan DA criminal probe.

Zherka is the driving force behind Rethinking County Government, which aims to ablolish county government and the office of County Executive. Zherka also pulled out of obscurity Dave Spano, son of Andy, who railed against county government and tried to run for his dad’s job, clearly irritating Andy and Co.  “We didn’t want the line because of the relationship with strip club owner Sam Zherka. It’s not an association that Andy wanted to have,” said Bader.

“The Independence party endorsed Astorino, and there appears to be a relationship between the Independence Party, Astorino, and Sam Zherka-he’s supporting him,” said Bader.  

This is a clear indication of how the Andy Spano campaign, and others, will run this fall’s campaign-They intent to highlight the link between Zherka and any candidate he endorses.

This strategy was used in the race for Yonkers mayor two years ago, with Democrat Dennis Robertson gettting the support of Zherka, but having it backfire and used against him by Mayor Phil Amicone.

While all of Spano’s reasons are rational, we remind our fellow bloggers about the stories we have all heard about Dr. Cavallo looking for a job for Dhyamla around Westchester. Why would Cavallo do it if Dhyamla’s county job was safe?

Regarding the Conservative Party nomination for county executive, to be held on Thursday, Bader said “there is an interest and a willingness from us and is a line that we would welcome.”

“Andy has had the Conservative line in the past, and one of their biggest issues is fiscal constraint and under Andy Spano Westchester has a AAA bond rating. I hope we do get the line,” said Bader.

Bader’s comments on Andy’s conservative record may be seen as a stretch to some, but point to a real possibility that Andy gets the Conservative Party line tomorrow night, which is a big problem for Astornio, who needs every line he can get in his challenge to Andy.

McLaughlin To Quit Council President Race

 

City Councilman and Minority Leader Liam McLaughlin has told Rising Times that he will stop his campaign for City Council president. McLaughlin cited personal reasons, including his wife and young son, and his current work at a White Plains law firm, as the reasons for his exit.

McLaughlin got into the race late for the Republican nomination for council president, and was placed in name for nomination at the GOP convention, but received less than 40%, with Jim Castro-Blanco the winner.

Since the convention, McLaughlin has been preparing for a primary battle with Castro-Blanco, and clearly looked at the prospects ahead of a primary against the party, the cost of fundraising, and being away from home for most of the summer.

McLaughlin’s decision is good news for Castro-Blanco and Yonkers Republicans who avoid a primary battle for CCP.

Regardless of why McLaughlin got out, his decision was in the best interests of the Yonkers GOP, and sets him up for a future run for office if he so chooses. McLaughlin has also been widely rumored over the years as a City Court Judge, or corporation counsel or even Deputy Mayor in a future administration.

His experience on the City Council, and his knowledge of the budget and ability to build consensus, is an asset to the City of Yonkers.  

Now that he is out of the race, McLaughlin and the council have before them votes on the city budget and the SFC LDA. Two huge unresolved issues — with the council and the mayor at odds over whether the mayor’s budget is balanced; and the SFC LDA, which still does not have 5 council votes needed for approval.