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YORKTOWN, N.Y. – Incumbent Assembly member Steve Katz (R-Yorktown) hopes to stave off a challenge by Dario Gristina (R-Putnam Valley) in Thursday’s primary election for the newly-redrawn 94th District. The district includes Yorktown, Somers, Carmel, Putnam Valley, Southeast and Patterson.
The winner of Thursday’s primary will appear on the general election ballot in November. Katz was initially elected to the 99th Assembly District in 2010. Katz recently sat down with The Daily Voice to talk about his chances in the primary and, possibly, the November election.
Why do you feel voters should select you as the Republican nominee over your opponent?
I’ve served our district, I believe, with honesty, integrity and effectiveness for the last two years. I was tasked to go up there to represent the taxpayers of our district, and to try to bring jobs in to make New York an easier state business-wise, and I think I’ve been on the road to doing that.
What, to you, is the most critical issue in this year's primary and general election season?
The most important issues are the absolute necessity for us to be a business-friendly state again so we can bring businesses in, so we can have jobs. These people will help with the tax roll, so it will decrease the crushing burden of over taxation that is afflicting our district and our state right now.
What other issues have you heard from voters that you would like to address?
The biggest one is the property taxes. I’m working very hard at getting unfunded mandate relief for our counties, which is going to ultimately help with our property taxes and our taxes in general.
How do you feel about the rulings from the Fair Campaign Committee?
I think that a bipartisan, objective panel gave a ruling regarding this man’s integrity and ethics.
And do you think this race has been run fair?
I think that I’ve been working very hard for the people of my district and it’s immaterial to me. Right now, what’s important to me is that I’m a business man, and in the next two days, and again in November, I’m going to have a referendum from my employers as to whether or not I get a two-year extension on my contract. And that’s my position.
Comments (3)
Dr. Katz is a man of the people. He is a citizen legislator looking out for his constituents, while at the same time running his own business, paying employees, etc. He is looking out for the everyman, and for businessman. A vote for Dr. Katz is a vote for the people. A vote for Mr. Gristina is a vote for Greg Ball...not Mr. Gristina. If you look at Mr. Gristina's personal records you cannot in good faith vote for him. Vote Dr. Katz tomorrow!!!
Steve Katz is one of the few people in Albany that actually reads the bills that he votes on. I say we keep an intelligent representative who is looking out for our tax dollars and ditch the pretty boys who do nothing for the voters.
6th question. He sits on the housing committee but when you contact Mr. Katz's office with housing questions regarding legislation you GET NO ANSWER. His office needs to learn how to answer constitutents questions. Last election, days before election day he stood with Ball claiming he was going to create jobs....yup, that never happened. Time to vote him out.