Reichlin-Melnick sticks with state Senate run after toying with campaign for Assembly
Democrat Elijah Reichlin-Melnick remains a candidate for state Senate, putting aside thoughts of an Assembly race and sticking with a rematch with Republican Sen. William Weber.
Reichlin-Melnick soothed concerns of some Democrats that he would shift his focus to running for the state Assembly seat being vacated by retiring Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski.
Such a move would have created a June primary against Clarkstown Councilman Patrick Carroll. Many Democrats feared that potentially would leave the party without a viable candidate to challenge Weber.
"The answer: I am running for Senate," Reichlin-Melnick said Wednesday. "As I announced in June 2023, I am running for state Senate and fully expect to return to Albany to represent Rockland when all the votes are cast in November."
He reconfirmed his commitment to a Senate race, ending a Shakespearean dilemma, shortly after an article appeared on The Journal News/lohud website about his potential switch to an Assembly race.
'Dear Elijah': Committee members want Reichlin-Melnick for Senate
The issue arose when 29 Orangetown Democratic Committee members wrote Reichlin-Melnick a "Dear Elijah" letter urging him to stick with the Senate race.
"Say it ain’t so, Elijah!" the letter starts off, continuing with: "We were terribly disappointed to learn that you are seriously considering challenging Patrick Carroll in a primary to be the Democratic candidate for the 96th New York State Assembly seat.
"As members of the Orangetown Democratic Committee who greatly respect and value your contributions to Orangetown, Rockland County, New York State, and the Democratic Party, we are writing to urge you to continue your campaign to retake our State Senate seat in the upcoming general election. ... Please continue to be our champion and continue your Senate campaign."
Weber said Wednesday that he's focusing on representing his constituents, not Reichlin-Melnick's political plans. The 38th Senate District covers the Rockland towns of Clarkstown, Haverstraw, Orangetown, and Ramapo in Rockland County
"While the former senator pursues what is in his best interest, I am laser-focused on serving the residents of the 38th District," Weber said in an email.
Orangetown Democratic Party Chair Liz Barrie said she and other Democrats were glad Reichlin-Melnick stayed with the Senate race.
"Elijah Reichlin-Melnick indicated to the Orangetown Democratic Committee that he was considering a run for the New York State Assembly," she said. "Many of us were quite worried because we need him back in the state Senate and Pat Carroll in the state Assembly."
"We're planning for big Democratic wins in November," Barrie said.
Carroll, who won another term on the Clarkstown Town Board in November, said Reichlin-Melnick's plans don't change his goal.
"I’m running for the Assembly because Rockland needs a strong voice in Albany," Carroll said. "I’ve won four General Elections in a row in Clarkstown, which is the heart of the district, I know this community and I’m ready to fight for my neighbors in Albany."
Reichlin-Melnick vs. Weber: Anyone's race?
At the moment, Reichlin-Melnick and Weber would go head-to-head for the third time in November, offering contrasting views. Reichlin-Melnick offers a progressive agenda. Weber, by contrast, speaks out against the state's high taxes and spending and supports school choice.
Reichlin-Melnick served one two-year term in the Senate, after serving on the Nyack Board of Trustees. He won a 2020 Democratic Party primary against Clarkstown Town Clerk Justin Sweet to run for the Senate.
Reichlin-Melnick defeated Weber in the 2020 November election. Weber unseated Reichlin-Melnick by several thousand votes in their 2022 rematch. Weber had lost previous elections for Ramapo offices, including town supervisor.
Ramapo's Orthodox and Hasidic community bloc vote played a strong role in Weber's 2022 victory and he's worked hard to maintain such support.
In the 2020 race, Weber and Reichlin-Melnick both got substantial support from Ramapo districts dominated by Orthodox Jewish and Hasidic voters.
Reichlin-Melnick works for Westchester County Executive George Latimer's administration. Latimer is running for Congress against Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic Party primary this June.
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal
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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Reichlin-Melnick running against Sen Weber after mulling Assembly run
