Francois Kicks Off Campaign For NY Assembly District 97

Editor's Note: Mr. Francois is running for the 97th New York State Assembly District. The headline was incorrect in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error.

SPRING VALLEY, NY — Former Spring Valley Village Trustee Eudson Tyson Francois hosted a rally Friday to officially kick off his campaign for the 97th Assembly District.

Francois, a Democrat, is vying with Rockland County Legislator John W. McGowan for the seat. It is currently held by Republican Mike Lawler, who is running for Congress in the newly-drawn 17th District.

Francois was joined outside Spring Valley Village Hall by local elected officials, committee members, and supporters from across the district and the county.

“I am honored to announce my candidacy for the 97th Assembly District right here in Spring Valley, the place I’ve called home for almost my entire life," he said. "Whether it was fighting to secure more funding for the MLK Center summer program as Village Trustee, or working with our Sheriff and local first responders as our Police Commissioner to tackle the rapidly rising crime rate, I have constantly been on the frontlines of the good fights, the fights for the single parent who works two jobs just to make ends meet, the fights for the parents grieving with the loss of their teenage son to gun violence on our streets. It would be an honor to represent Rockland County in the State Assembly.”

Francois was joined by local leaders including:

• Donna Gorman Silberman, Rockland County Clerk
• Asher Grossman, Spring Valley Village Trustee
• Grant Valentine, Chestnut Ridge Village Trustee
• Sabrina Charles Pierre, Vice President of the East Ramapo Central School District Board
• David Carlucci, Former New York State Senator
• Emilia White, Former Deputy Mayor of Spring Valley
• Charnette Frederic, Chairwoman of National Haitian American Elected Officials Network

Campaign officials said Francois has also secured the support of a few other local elected officials, who were unable to join him at his campaign kickoff event due to prior engagements, including:

• Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, New York State Senator
• Ken Zebrowski, New York State Assemblyman
• Ellen Jaffee, Former New York State Assemblywoman
• Toney Earl, Rockland County Legislator

SEE ALSO: Congressional District 17 August Primaries: Maloney, Lawler Win Easily