After One Candidate Drops Out, Two Dems to Primary for Senate Seat
A candidate for the New York State Senate, Debbie Carter Costello, announced she’s suspending her campaign for the 40th senate district last Sunday, setting up a Democratic primary between the two remaining Democrats.
Carter Costello, a Cortlandt councilwoman, said in a statement a Democratic primary, regardless of how spirited and positive it may be, “could seriously undermine our biggest priority: getting Terrence Murphy out of office.”
That now leaves Pound Ridge resident Ali Boak and Patterson resident Andy Falk to fight it out in September for the Democratic nomination before facing Murphy, a first term senator, in November. The Democratic candidates have all been critical of Murphy for multiple reasons, challenging how ethical he’s been during his first term in office.
Carter Costello said she is backing Boak for the senate seat and encouraged Falk to follow her lead and also drop out of the race for party unity. Boak recently came out on top in the tri-county convention of Democratic committees from Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. She said she defeated Falk by 22 percent on the second ballot. Carter Costello was a distant third place finish.
“Being asked to run for Senate has been one of my life’s great honors, and this campaign has been humbling and heartening,” Carter Costello said. “I thank my many campaign volunteers, organizers and donors for their strong and enthusiastic support.”
But Falk doesn’t plan on dropping out and doesn’t think a primary fight would hurt the Democrats’ chances of beating Murphy.
Falk said he was only dedicated to the hardworking men and women of the district and would not let party bosses sway whether he goes forward in the race. He doesn’t believe a primary would hurt the Democrats’ chances of beating Murphy, citing Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney had a highly contested Democratic primary and still went on to beat Republican Nan Hayworth in the general election.
“I’m fighting for people that don’t have a voice,” Falk, who ran for state assembly twice and Patterson supervisor once, said. “I’m an independent person.”
Boak, in an email, said she applauded Carter Costello for putting the interest of the Democratic Party and district residents first by uniting behind one candidate.
“This decision demonstrates her commitment to the Democratic Party and to turning the 40th Senate District blue,” Boak stated. “With Albany corruption continuing to get worse, it’s vital for Democrats to come together to elect to take on the entrenched interests that are undermining our region.”
