Patch Candidate Profile 2023: Branda For District 4 County Legislator

SOMERS, NY — Registered voters in northern Westchester County will have some decisions to make on election day Nov. 7, one of which will be choosing someone to represent District 4 in the Westchester County Legislature.

Dan Branda, 44, of Somers, is running on the Republican Party line to be the legislator for District 4, which covers New Castle, Somers and Yorktown. He is challenging incumbent Democrat Vedat Gashi.

Branda said he runs his own digital marketing company and counts as his political experience five years with County Executive Rob Astorino and three years with state Senator Greg Ball.

He is married and has three young children.

Campaign website: danbranda.com

To help the public get to know the candidates for Westchester County Legislature District 4, Patch sent them the same set of questions. Here are Branda's responses.

Why are you seeking this office?

In the current political climate, temperatures are way too high and neighborhoods are too quickly divided by political affiliation. And, because our elected officials in Westchester County government are concerned with national political agendas, they often fail to meet the moment. We need to move beyond politics and focus on the shared goals of our community by recognizing the values we hold in common.

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

I have an agenda for Westchester County government. I want to invest in the Community College, reducing tuition to $1,100. I want to develop ambitious capital projects. I want our elected officials in Westchester to be involved in our schools, working cooperatively with the administrations and school boards to improve educational outcomes and communication with parents. And, I want accountability and transparency. My opponent would rather focus on national issues because that is where his ambition lies.

What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

At a time when our economy is still struggling post-pandemic — in a state that rebounded very slowly from the 2008-2009 recession — families are struggling with the effects of inflation on their everyday lives. And while we cannot do much about money policy at the local government level, we have a responsibility not to compound the problem for our residents. Westchester remains one of the highest taxed counties in the country, and our government is not forthcoming about the $500 million in new taxes (sales + property) that have been imposed on us by the current administration — including by my opponent in his role as budget chair and now chairman of the Board of Legislators — over the past 5+ years.

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

The affordable housing crisis, and the intention of our state government to force decisions on our local communities. We are in an affordable housing crisis throughout New York, and that is felt especially hard right here in Westchester. However, the solution cannot be for the governor to take over our local zoning rights, to build urban neighborhoods around each Metro-North station, and to leave local taxpayers holding the bill for the necessary infrastructure upgrades that come with increased density — including roads, sewers and schools. I will vigorously defend our communities’ constitutional right to determine their own zoning, and demand enforcement of our rights while working with citizens and nonprofits to advocate for and implement policies that ensure Westchester becomes more affordable — offering a place to live, work, raise a family and retire to everyone who wants to come here.

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

I've had many accomplishments working with the State Senate and the county executive that demonstrate my ability to reach out to the community, to build relationships with nonprofits, and work in a bipartisan manner, including our Veterans Thanksgiving program that served more than 800 veterans and their families each year with 100% donated food and labor, our work against fracking in New York with Frack Action and filmmaker Josh Fox, and my work with the Safer Communities initiative. However, my most recent and telling achievement came as chairman of the Suffolk County Reduce Spending Task Force, working under a Democratic majority and achieving a bipartisan collection of recommendations that would have saved the county more than $100 million each year without cutting services.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

"Don't play jazz." In other words, don't play fast and loose. Make sure that you have your facts and that you have considered the implications before you speak.

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

I will be an accessible representative in the community, present at town board and school board meetings and hosting regular "office hours" in coffee shops throughout the district. My personal email and phone number will be published online and available for anyone who needs help interacting with government.

Editor's note: The candidate's responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity.