Democrats vying for 97th Assembly District seat map out priorities for Orangetown, Ramapo

Both candidates live in Spring Valley with their families and have previously ran for an Assembly seat.

Diane Caruso

Jun 11, 2024, 9:37 PM

Updated 173 days ago

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Democrats in New York’s 97th Assembly District will choose between Eudson Tyson Francois or Aron Wieder in the June 25 primary.
The district includes Orangetown and parts of Ramapo.
Both men live in Spring Valley with their families and have previously ran for an Assembly seat.
Francois is a former Spring Valley Village trustee and police commissioner who has spent decades in the health care industry.
"We need someone who's willing to go to the highways and byways to fight,” Francois said, “I'm a fighter.”
Wieder is a long-time county legislator, served on the East Ramapo School Board and assisted the Spring Valley mayor. He also owns a mail order business.
"There are so many issues that need to be addressed because if you don't have a seat at the table, you're on the menu," Wieder said.
News 12 interviewed Francois outside Spring Valley High school, where he had been a student. He said he hopes to fight on behalf of the school district as a state lawmaker.
Other issues he plans to address include gun violence, lowering taxes, congestion pricing and women's rights.
"I just want to be the voice for District 97 and go out and fight for our people," Francois said.
News 12 interviewed Wieder at the county’s building in New City where he pointed to his accomplishments as an elected official.
"I'm currently the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee,” said Legislator Wieder. “We've proposed a budget and passed that budget that had a tax decrease. Unprecedented."
If elected, Wieder wants to focus on infrastructure and state resources for local municipalities.
"If you vote for me, I will not disappoint you,” Wieder said.
Whoever wins the primary this month will face first-term incumbent Republican John McGowan.