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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Ed Koch, three-time mayor of New York City, has endorsed White Plains Common Council member David Buchwald for the New York Assembly in the 93rd District.
Buchwald, a Democrat, announced his candidacy in January, and will run against incumbent Assembly member Robert Castelli (R, CGoldens Bridge). Castellis old district, District 89, is now renumbered District 93 after the state Legislature voted to approve new legislative maps and Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed off on them in March. Castelli voted against the plan.
The new legislative maps, created by the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reappointment, will still include in the 93rd Assembly District the towns of Lewisboro, Pound Ridge, Bedford, Harrison, New Castle and North Castle, and the Village of Mount Kisco. However, under the new map, the district now includes North Salem and changes some of the territory covered in White Plains.
Buchwald is the Democratic Party nominee to face Castelli; lawyer Jeremiah Frei-Pearson dropped out of the Democratic race and endorsed Buchwald in April. Buchwald also is endorsed by the Westchester Independence Party.
In his endorsement, Koch stated:
"I enthusiastically support David Buchwald and endorse his candidacy for the New York State Assembly in the 93rd Assembly District. He combines the vitality of youth with the talent, experience and commitment to ethical reform that we would want all of our public officials to possess. In White Plains, Buchwald has helped bring fiscal discipline to the budget process, championing line item review, public input and transparency. At the same time, Buchwald authored laws strengthening the Citys Code of Ethics and has been a fighter for seniors, the rights of commuters, open spaces and preservation of the environment. Buchwald is pro-Choice and pro-marriage equality.
"In contrast, his opponent, Robert Castelli, candidate of the Republican and Conservative parties, voted against prohibiting wage discrimination, against keeping firearms out of the hands of domestic violence offenders, against marriage equality, and has failed to support a womans right to choose.
"As I see it, the choice is clear. I support David Buchwald."
Buchwald announced the endorsement Wednesday in Harrison.
"During his three terms as Mayor, Mayor Koch restored fiscal stability to the City of New York and created a merit judicial system," Buchwald said in a statement. "Mayor Koch long has championed the kind of reform we so desperately need in our State and which I intend to support."
On the White Plains Common Council, Buchwald has served as chairman of the Traffic Commission, where he worked to promote more efficient traffic rules, pedestrian safety and bicycle access and improve on-street parking rules.
The Larchmont native attended the Mamaroneck public schools and graduated from Yale University and Harvard Law School, and also received a master's of public policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
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