Several Town Supervisors Endorse Murphy for State Senate

Several town supervisors in Putnam, Westchester and Dutchess counties gathered this morning at the gazebo in Somers' Bailey Park to support Mary Beth Murphy's run for the 40^th state senate district.

Murphy, who has served as Somers town supervisor for 12 years, has also been given the nod over her opponent, Assemblyman Greg Ball (R-Patterson), by the Westchester and Putnam GOP committees. Murphy and Ball will face off in a primary on September 14.

In Westchester County, the 40th state Senate District covers the towns of Bedford, Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown.

The supervisors endorsing Murphy today include Lee Roberts of Bedford, Garry Warshauer of Pound Ridge, Pine Plains supervisor Greg Pulver, Kathy Doherty of Kent, Michael Griffin, supervisor of Patterson, and Warren Lucas of North Salem.

Yorktown Supervisor Susan Siegel said this afternoon she was not endorsing anybody at this time, but is staying neutral.

In her remarks this morning, Murphy highlighted her focus on fighting unfunded mandates from Albany, providing property tax relief and reducing spending in Albany. Click on the video posted with this story to listen.

Lucas spoke after Murphy. He noted her willingness to take a leadership role on regional issues.

"She's worked on regional issues affecting our communities, including MS4 stormwater regulations. She builds consensus. We trust her to replace Vincent Leibell," he said.

Roberts, who did not attend the event, said that Murphy has demonstrated leadership and competence that would serve her well in a heightened role.

"She has a first-hand knowledge of our local issues and would be an excellent representative for the 40th district," she said in a release distributed at the press conference.

Across the aisle, county legislator Mike Kaplowitz (D-Somers) will face the primary winner. The state senate race will be decided on Nov. 2.