Outcomes of Caucuses to Have Atypical Influence This Year

Tiny Independence Party a Player in Village of Larchmont Election

by Judy Silberstein

(January 26, 2006) Political party caucuses are typically predictable events in the Village of Larchmont, but not this year. Because of an unprecedented race between two Republicans, the incumbent, Mayor Ken Bialo and the challenger, Trustee Liz Feld, things might get interesting at all three caucuses planned for next week. Interestingly, the Independence Party, with only 100 or so registered voters in Larchmont, could play an outsized role because its caucus goes first this year.

All sides are predicting a particularly heavy turnout at the Republican caucus on Tuesday, January 31 at 8 pm, which has been moved to the American Legion Hall in Flint Park to accommodate a crowd. Attendance will be limited to Village of Larchmont residents who are registered as Republicans and can present a drivers license or comparable identification. The Democrats may also see a large turnout at their caucus, on January 31 at 8 pm in the Village Center behind the Larchmont Library. Though they have announced their two trustee candidates, incumbent Marlene Kolbert and newcomer Jim Millstein, they appear undecided on what to do about a mayoral selection.

For more information on the caucus and the candidates, see the Gazette's political page: Village of Larchmont Election 2006.

But perhaps the most interesting caucus will be that of the Independence Party, a minor New York State party originally formed in sympathy with the 1994 presidential candidacy of Ross Perot. In recent years, the local Independence Party at its caucus has endorsed candidates already selected by the local Republican Party. This has helped the GOP candidates attract “cross over” support from Democrats and non-affiliated voters uncomfortable with pulling the Republican lever.

This year, however, Larchmont’s Independence Party is caucusing a day early, on January 30 at 7:00 pm at 2180 Boston Post Road, the law offices of Tom Constabile, a former Village of Larchmont Republican Party chairperson. With the Republicans divided, it will be up to those who appear at the Independence Party caucus to make, well, an independent choice.

So who are the members of the Larchmont Independence Party? According to voter lists from the Westchester County Board of Elections, there are slightly over 100 registered members in the Village of Larchmont. A call to a random selection of listed voters reveals however, that many of them are surprised to be on the list. “I’ve always considered myself to be an independent voter – voting the person, not the party,” said Angela Ingrao. “I never have attended the caucus,” she said, adding that she thought she had listed herself as having no party affiliation. That would have put her on the list as a “NON” rather than an “IND.”

Also on the Independence roster are a few spouses of Republican officeholders, including Joel Feld, Liz Feld’s husband, and Leslie Wiener, wife of Trustee Mike Wiener.

The party has no local leadership, so, in accordance with NY State election law, the chairman of the Westchester County committee stands in. Mario Castaldo, the current county chair, has been traveling to Larchmont in recent years. He described the typical procedure: “I appoint a temporary chairman and secretary of the caucus.” In case of a contested situation, the appointment is “based on who the majority of the voters are supporting,” he said.

As for Mr. Castaldo, “I’ll be fair to the people running,” he said. “I’m not against anyone. If I endorse someone who is not good for the village, the voters should not vote for them. It’s a choice matter – people decide.”

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