Contenders test waters for 2026 race
Beth Davidson, a Rockland County legislator, announced plans to run for the Democratic Party ballot line for the U.S. House seat held by incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler. The district includes Philipstown.
Lawler, a Republican in his second term, may not be on the ballot if he decides to run for governor against Kathy Hochul in 2026.
Jessica Reinmann, who founded the nonprofit 914Cares in Westchester County, also declared her candidacy. Both Davidson and Reinmann have created websites to promote their campaigns.
On Feb. 18, The New York Times floated the names of two other Democrats: Effie Phillips-Staley, a former director of Hudson Valley MOCA in Peekskill and a Village of Tarrytown trustee, and Neal Zuckerman, a Philipstown resident and West Point grad who is managing director at the Boston Consulting Group and Putnam County’s representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.
Zuckerman said on Wednesday (Feb. 26) that “wallet issues” would be his focus if he ran. “Right now, I’m enjoying having conversations across our diverse district,” he said. “I’m hearing what needs are and seeing if I have something to offer from my experiences in business, local and regional government and the Army.”
Neal Zuckerman would be a great representative for us in Congress.