News 12 is spotlighting the 2020 rematch in the 38th Senate
District between incumbent Democrat Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Republican Bill
Weber as the midterm elections approach.
This time, there are new battlelines consisting of nearly
all of Rockland County.
"I'm born and raised in Rockland and I know this
community,” said Reichlin-Melnick. “Over the last two years, I have been your
representative in Albany. Every day – fighting and delivering everything I
possibly can back for the people in Rockland."
The freshman state lawmaker from Nyack spent many years
working for politicians like state Sen. James Skoufis, Rep. Eliot Engel
and Rep. Nita Lowey before stepping into the political spotlight himself.
Weber is a lifelong Rockland resident and a certified
public accountant.
"We have an opportunity to save our state and to save
our county from crushing taxes, from high inflation, and from every increasing
crime," he said.
As for the issues, if reelected, Reichlin-Melnick wants to
focus on school funding, gun laws, and making changes to bail reform.
"I have introduced legislation and hope to see it pass
to give additional discretion to judges when it comes to holding people charged
with illegal gun crimes on bail," said the incumbent.
Weber wants to repeal bail reform, fund law enforcement,
and address affordability.
“We really need someone to go to Albany with my experience
in tax and finance to make sure that we have budgets that are sound,” said
Weber. “And that we have taxes that people can afford to stay here – not only
the people that are working and living here right now, but people that are
seniors and on fixed incomes."
Both candidates have publicly said they would stand up
against congestion pricing.
Early voting lasts until Nov. 6. Election Day is Nov. 8.