Democrats Take Solid Hold Of Rockland Legislature

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The results of Tuesday's election delivered Democrats their first supermajority on the Rockland County Legislature in its 30-year history, as they won six of nine contested elections.

One of them, Dana Stilley, flipped the 17th legislative district, defeating first-term Legislator James Foley. Another newcomer, Beth Davidson, picked up the seat vacated by retiring longtime lawmaker Harriet Cornell.

Davidson and Stilley were among the Democratic candidates attacked by members of the county GOP before Election Day. County Executive Ed Day wrote a scathing Facebook post on his person al page before the election. A Facebook post by the county Republican Party showed them with County Legislators Toney Earl, Aney Paul and Aron Wieder (all Democrats), accused them of being "woke" and interested only in national issues and asked why they would meet with Wieder — since, they alleged, he opposes the challengers' positions on topics such as abortion rights and climate change.

Actually, Davidson told Patch, she wants to follow up Cornell's dedicated work on conservation issues in Rockland.

"We must without delay address the threat the climate crisis poses to homes, businesses, infrastructure and more and given Harriet Cornell has been such a champion for the environment, I would be honored and excited to take up her mantle on climate action and on clean water," she said.

Stilley said she referenced the impact that climate change is having on Rockland residents' personal property, ability to travel safely, drinking water and infrastructure throughout her campaign.

Both said they looked forward to working with the county's new sustainability coordinator.

Also, both Stilley and Davidson said they hoped to gain support to examine disparities in infant mortality in the county, as well as ensure that local women maintain access to reproductive health care without intimidation or harassment.

Stilley said she intended to carry on with integrity, skill, and determination to work with everyone on the County Legislature as she did on the South Orangetown Board of Education.

"I am overjoyed to be able to represent the residents of District 17 and serve all Rockland County. I have often said that representation is the foundation of good governance, and I am proud to be the first African American women ever elected to serve on the Rockland County Legislature," said Stilley. "I am however disappointed that county leadership thought it was necessary to deny my vast life experiences and proven leadership in an attempt to sway voters. They chose to lie and label me as a radical who supports BLM riots in what I perceive was an effort to raise fear within the community. Fortunately, because of my good work, many people within the district know who I am, and what I have accomplished."

Davidson said she promised throughout her campaign that she would work with anyone who has a good idea to move Rockland forward. "That remains my intention," she said. "I served for two terms on the Nyack School Board, which is a nonpartisan role, and we built coalitions and consensus around ideas rather than party. I believe we can do the same on the legislature."

"I have learned that sometimes when people are not accustomed to working across the aisles — be they political, social, or racial — they enter the room with preconceived notions," Stilley said. "I am hopeful that will not be the case as the new legislative body begins work in January."