Reichlin-Melnick Seeks Re-Election: Patch Candidate Profile 2022

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — In 2022's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for state and local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick is running for re-election in District 38. He is again facing Bill Weber, over whom he won a narrow victory in 2020.

Re-drawn after the 2020 Census, the district no longer includes a gerrymandered sliver of Westchester County, instead adding more of northern Rockland.

Reichlin-Melnick served on the Nyack village Board of Trustees before being elected to the State Senate. He graduated from Nyack High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and government from Cornell University in 2006, then began teaching at an inner city school in New Haven. A Democrat, he spent nearly five years as a constituent service specialist and district representative for Congressman Eliot Engel and Congresswoman Nita Lowey before going back to school for a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

Learn more about him on his campaign website.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election for the same reason I ran in 2020, because I am committed to making sure that New York works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. We’ve made progress over the past two years, including property and income tax relief, record funding for local public schools, legislation to protect our drinking water, new gun safety laws in the wake of the Buffalo supermarket shooting, and new laws to protect the civil rights of all New Yorkers, but there is much more work to do. Too many people still feel like the state is not working for them. People feel squeezed by high taxes and rising healthcare costs. Many Rocklanders are worried about public safety. Others are concerned by the MTA’s plan to charge drivers thousands of dollars a year to get to Manhattan. Rockland taxpayers deserve someone who will stand up for them, and in the State Senate, I've never stopped fighting and delivering for this district.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a proven record of fighting and delivering for Rockland taxpayers, while my opponent has spent much of the past decade trying and failing to get elected to office (this campaign is the fourth time he has run for office since 2015). While I have worked closely with local officials of both parties to support crucial projects for our community and have brought millions of dollars back to local governments, fire departments, libraries, and non-profit organizations, my opponent has done little but post crude partisan jabs on social media. I am the only candidate who unequivocally supports a woman's right to choose, and will fight vigorously to protect New Yorker’s constitutional rights; my opponent has dodged questions about his stand on women’s rights and is fully supported by the Conservative Party and Republican legislators who are committed to eliminating abortion rights in New York.

As a former school teacher, I am committed to continuing to deliver record education funding to the district. Since taking office two years ago, I have voted for an additional $119 million in state funding to school districts in Rockland, the largest increase ever.

My opponent, when he’s not ranting on social media, has a checkered career as the Chief Financial Officer for a construction company where he and his firm have been sued on behalf of workers who weren’t paid, homeowners whose properties were damaged by shoddy construction, and many others. He and his company also profited off of the corrupt Ramapo stadium deal that led to multiple federal indictments and jail time for the former Town Supervisor while Weber collected a nice paycheck. When you look at our records you can tell the kind of people we are and the choice is clear.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The MTA's current congestion pricing plan is unfair to Rockland taxpayers, and that's why I'm standing up to Albany and have introduced legislation to exempt us from this unfair plan.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My record over the past two years should give clear proof that I can handle the job of state senator. I have introduced and passed more legislation than any other first term senator in 2021-22 and locally, my office has helped thousands of constituents solve problems with state agencies like the DMV and Department of Labor. My office has held numerous community-focused events including blood drives, school supply giveaways, NARCAN trainings, free shredding days, breakfasts for veterans, and popular events for seniors like our spring senior celebration and fall senior fair.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don’t think that you’re owed anything. If you want to succeed, work hard, play by the rules, and trust that effort and results will be rewarded.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I grew up in Rockland and am now raising a family here. Too often Rockland taxpayers are paying more than their fair share. I first ran for office with the idea that government should work for everyone, and in the State Senate I have worked hard to deliver on that promise for Rockland County. As the most active first-year legislator in the Senate I know how to get things done and look forward to continuing to deliver for you. I love Rockland County, and am looking forward to winning this election, returning to Albany, and continuing to work hard for all of my Rockland neighbors.

Editor's Note: The state senator's name was misspelled twice in the original version of this report. Patch regrets the error.

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