Alert Center: Two upsets highlight primary day for Hudson Valley Democrats

Two big upsets highlighted primary day for the Democrats in the Hudson Valley.

News 12 Staff

Jun 29, 2022, 12:28 PM

Updated 891 days ago

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Two big upsets highlighted primary day for the Democrats in the Hudson Valley.
Six term Westchester County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky beat incumbent Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti in the 92nd District.  This will affect people in Greenburgh, Mount Pleasant, and parts of Yonkers. Abinanti has spent 12 years in the assembly, but now Shimsky could take over. She thinks her focus on issues that matter to you --- like infrastructure, the environment, and housing affordability -- helped her win.  Shimsky says next she'll meet with anyone who will talk to her about what her priorities should be. "What I should start doing to help make the 92nd Assembly District better for the people who are in it? I promise you just like at the board of legislators that is going to be my first thought in the morning, my last thought when I go to bed at night,” she says. “Thank you so much for their help and support and now onward to November and January.” Shimsky thanked Abinanti for his work and said the race in November shouldn't be too hard -- but her team still needs to come together to be sure of a win.

Progressive political newcomer Sarahana Shrestha beat incumbent Kevin Cahill in the race for the 103rd District. Cahill, who served one term in 1993, has been reelected every two years since 1999. Shrestha is the Ulster co-chair for the Mid-Hudson Valley chapter of Democratic Socialists of America -- and picked up endorsements from Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her campaign focused on universal health care, more criminal justice reform, and a Green New Deal for New York. Shrestha will now face Republican Patrick Sheehan in the November general election.
In another tight race Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg is the projected Democratic winner for the 95th State Assembly race this November -- meaning she will face retired music teacher and longtime Briarcliff Manor resident Stacy Halper in November. Levenberg defeated former Peekskill Council member Vanessa Agudelo and two-term Westchester Legislator Colin Smith. The Democratic seat opened up after Assemblywoman Sandy Galef announced her retirement after 30 years in that role. Halper will have an uphill battle going into November as this district is very clearly a Democrat dominated district.