Vanderhoef: Strong Leader Needed To Succeed Morahan

For County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, the decision about who should be the next state senator representing Rockland in Albany is all about strong leadership.

Vanderhoef, a Republican who is now in his fifth term as head of the county's government, said incumbent state Sen. Thomas Morahan has been able to provide that leadership during his years in office. But with Morahan's decision against seeking re-election this year, Vanderhoef contends his experience makes him a logical successor to Morahan.

"There are challenges that challenge our taxpayers and our employers that have to be faced and they have to be dealt with," said Vanderhoef, who is seeking the nomination of county Republicans to run for Morahan's seat. "What has to happen is there has to be a revolution up there in Albany."

To make that revolution happen, Vanderhoef said he believes Morahan's seat must remain in Republican control. Morahan, a former state Assemblyman and former Rockland County legislator, is a New City Republican.

In Rockland, Vanderhoef was elected and has been re-elected despite Democrats having an overwhelming majority in voter registration. Democrats outrank Republicans in Rockland 85,720 to 44,389, according to April 2010 registration figures. However, of Rockland's 181,891 registered voters, 41,191 of them have no party affiliation.

Vanderhoef said he has proven during his administration that he can work across party lines and has developed supporters among Republican and Democrats. As a result, Vanderhoef said he has been encouraged by members of both parties to run for state Senate.

"It's not that I don't like being county executive," Vanderhoef said. "I ran for it and it's a great job. It's just that I'm so upset with Albany."

Vanderhoef pointed to state Medicaid mandates an the new MTA "mobility tax" on employers as examples of problems that Rockland faces as a result of a leadership vacuum in Albany and a state Senate that is dominated by the New York City politicians.

"The situation is beyond dysfunctional," said Vanderhoef.

Vanderhoef said he is hopeful his candidacy will ensure that Morahan's seat remains in Republican control. Additionally, he said state Republican leaders are hoping to capture at least two other Senate seats held by Democrats.

Vanderhoef said he believes with a new governor coming into office, there will be new opportunities for improving the operation of the state Senate and state government.

"That environment is something I can help," said Vanderhoef. "I will not be able to make wholesale changes like I could here as county executive, but I certainly hope to be influential."

As Rockland County Republicans get set to gather for their convention on June 7 in New City, Vanderhoef admits he has been met with concern from some party loyalists who fear the loss of the county executive's job to a Democrat if Vanderhoef won Morahan's Senate seat. With control of the county's top elected post, also comes control over governmental appointments and jobs.

"There are folks who are part of the administration who prefer I not go," Vanderhoef said. "But there are a lot of folks who understand why I need to go."

Vanderhoef would not comment on who he would suggest to be a possible Republican candidate to succeed him if he won the Senate seat. Vanderhoef said he has spoken to Morahan about running for Senate and sought his advice, but he would not go into detail about his discussion with Morahan.

The balance of power in Rockland politics is facing change today because illness led Morahan to drop plans for re-election. Morahan is battling leukemia, which kept him out of the office for 41 days earlier this year. A spokesman for Morahan said Friday that the senator was again hospitalized this week because of his condition.

Vanderhoef is not the only Republican who would like to take Morahan's place. County Legislator Ed Day, a New City Republican, plans on formally announcing his candidacy for the seat on Tuesday.

Also from Clarkstown, New City Democrat David Carlucci has launched a campaign to become the Democratic candidate for Morahan's seat. Carlucci, 29, is Clarkstown Town Clerk and won his third term in November. Ramapo Resident Grant Valentine has also been campaigning to get the Democratic nod.

The field for state Senate also thinned out somewhat this week as Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, D-New City, and Clarkstown Councilman Frank Borelli, R-New City, both said they would not seek the Senate seat. Zebrowski said he intends on seeking re-election to the Assembly.

For Vanderhoef, his aspiration for higher office is not a surprise.

Vanderhoef was gubernatorial candidate John Faso's running mate in 2006. He considered a challenge to Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, but decided against it in April.

Vanderhoef was also mentioned as a possible candidate for state comptroller, which he had also considered in 2006.