Longtime Astorino advisor hopes to challenge Maloney
By Kevin E. Foley
A fourth Republican, Phil Oliva, has joined the race to oppose incumbent Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in November for the 18th Congressional District seat. The primary election takes place in June. Oliva, who lives in Somers, announced his candidacy on Jan. 30 at a rally in Mahopac. He also launched a campaign website at philoliva.com.
“The country is heading in the wrong direction,” Oliva told supporters. “Washington is broken and only strong, principled leadership will help get the country back on the right track.
Phil Oliva (photo provided)
“I am looking to break up the status quo and get us back to a smarter, more limited form of government that’s focused on a strong national defense, a free enterprise economy that expands jobs creation and income growth, and securing the borders once and for all.”
Oliva, a communications consultant, is also a longtime advisor to Westchester County Executive and 2014 gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, who endorsed Oliva’s candidacy. Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell also endorsed Oliva.
“I’m proud to enthusiastically support Phil’s campaign because he is grounded and principled,” Astorino said in a statement. “Washington won’t change Phil. We can count on Phil to change Washington.”
Having the public support of two county executives in the district establishes Oliva has a strong campaign early in the season. The other Republican candidates are former Orange County legislator Dan Castricone, Newburgh native Frank Spampinato and former Poughkeepsie School Board president Sakima Brown.
