Noam Bramson's campaign for the New York State Assembly received a major boost today as a broad coalition of Democratic Party leaders and elected officials announced their endorsement of the New Rochelle City Councilman and called upon his opponent, Assemblyman Ron Tocci, to withdraw from the Democratic primary contest.
The surge of Democratic support for Bramson comes amid news that Tocci sought and accepted the Republican nomination for the Assembly. Tocci met last evening with local GOP leaders at a joint meeting of the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Parties in New Rochelle, and Republican district leaders are currently circulating Tocci's nominating petitions. Tocci has frequently sided with Republicans on issues such as hate crimes, abortion rights, gun control, and civil rights.
Tocci's surprise maneuver has stirred anger among Democrats on the Sound shore, who have called it cynical and self-serving. In a joint statement the Democratic leaders said that Tocci's continued presence in the Democratic primary insults Democratic voters and threatens the integrity of our electoral process itself. Democrats should not and will not accept this Republican-backed attempt to deny our district a Democratic choice in the general election. Nor should they offer support to a candidate who intends to oppose our party's selection of a nominee.
"Ron claims to be all things to all people, but his actions serve only himself," said New Rochelle Democratic Chair Arnold Klugman, who had until this week been uncommitted in the primary. "I don't think Ron stands for anything other than his own re-election."
"People are outraged," said Cindy Goldstein, the Mamaroneck Village Chair, who had also been uncommitted. "If Ron wants to run as a Republican, so be it, but don't try to pretend you are still a Democrat."
Bramson said that he was "honored by the enthusiastic support I have received from so many community leaders and citizens," and said that he would continue waging a campaign based on his progressive principles. "We face important challenges: improving our schools, providing quality health care, and protecting our environment. I look forward to further uniting the Democratic Party and our entire community around these priorities."
Full statement of Democratic Leaders & Elected Officials follows.
Statement of Democratic Leaders and Elected Officials
in the 85th Assembly District
We announce today our strong support for Noam Bramson in the race for the New York State Assembly in the 85th Assembly District, and we call on Assemblyman Ron Tocci to withdraw from the Democratic primary immediately.
Mr. Tocci pursued and accepted the Republican nomination in this race, which is his right. But his continued presence now in the Democratic primary insults Democratic voters and threatens the integrity of our electoral process itself. Democrats should not and will not accept this Republican-backed attempt to deny our district a Democratic choice in the general election. Nor should they offer support to a candidate who intends to oppose our party's selection of a nominee. This unprecedented maneuver will be recognized for what it is: cynical back-room politics at its worst.
Noam Bramson is an exceptional public servant and a true champion of our mainstream values. As an aide to Congresswoman Lowey and as a New Rochelle City Council Member, Noam has compiled an impressive record of achievement. He will be an outstanding State Assemblyman. We urge Democrats throughout the Sound shore to offer Noam Bramson their united and enthusiastic support.
Fred Baron, Vice Chair
Mamaroneck Democratic Committee
Ellie Berlin, Democratic State Committeewoman
85th (85th) Assembly District
Lois Bronz, Chair
Westchester County Board of Legislators
Bee Brown, Council Member
City of New Rochelle
Debbie Chapin, Former Mayor
Village of Mamaroneck
Miriam Curnin, Former Mayor
Village of Larchmont
Chris DiGiorgio, Co-President
Stonewall Democrats
Elly Doctorow, Former Council Member
City of New Rochelle
Cindy Goldstein, Chair
Mamaroneck Village Democratic Committee
Malcolm Graff, Democratic State Committeeman
85th (85th) Assembly District
Timothy Idoni, Mayor
City of New Rochelle
Linda Jain, Co-President
Stonewall Democrats
Kate Kean, Former Chair
Larchmont Democratic Committee
Ruth Kitchen, Former Council Member
City of New Rochelle
Arnold Klugman, Chair
New Rochelle Democratic Committee
Doug McKean, Council Member
City of Rye
Mary Ann Mumma, Former Trustee
Village of Larchmont
Tom Murphy, Former Trustee
Village of Mamaroneck
Judy Myers, Council Member
Town of Mamaroneck
Ernest Odierna, Council Member
Town of Mamaroneck
Marc Oxman, Executive Director
Westchester Democratic County Committee
Vito Pinto, Legislator
Westchester County Board of Legislators
Nancy Seligson, Council Member
Town of Mamaroneck
Chris Selin, Council Member
City of New Rochelle
Fran Snedeker, Chair
Larchmont Village Democratic Committee
Marianne Sussman, Council Member
City of New Rochelle
Nancy Tunis, Former Trustee
Village of Rye Brook
Kate Weingarten, Former Trustee
Village of Mamaroneck
Rosalind Weinstein, Chair
Mamaroneck Town Democratic Committee
Phyllis Witter, Council Member
Town of Mamaroneck
Gary Zuckerman, Former Trustee
Village of Rye Brook
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