TOWN OF NEWBURGH – Orange
County Legislator Michael Anagnostakis announced today (Wednesday) that
he will seek the Republican line in the fall election for State Senate
in the 39th District.
The 39th District seat is being vacated by the retiring Senator William
Larkin, who has already endorsed Basile for the three-county district
that includes portions of Rockland, Orange and Ulster counties.
Anagnostakis said he will forego the Orange County GOP nominating convention
on May 17 and focus on the Republican primary this summer and the general
election in November.
“Let’s be very clear, the overwhelming majority of rank and
file GOP committee members are good hardworking Republicans,” he
said. “But the insiders, in the infamous tradition of Boss Tweed
politics, have connived for months, behind the scenes, to advance their
handpicked yes man puppet, and will use the convention as a coronation.”
Anagnostakis was referring to Thomas Basile, a Stony Point town councilman,
who officially announced his candidacy last Saturday.
The county legislator blasted the GOP leadership. “No committee
interviews of candidates; no scrutiny by the hundreds of committee members;
no questions and answers for those seeking the job; no endorsement process
from town committee to town committee,” he said. “Just a handpicked
puppet – from outside Orange County – to be crowned at the
convention by the insiders who control a great number of convention votes
by proxy.”
“Someone needed to say what everyone is thinking – outrageous!”
Anagnostakis said.
“If his rambling statement this morning is any indication, former
Democrat Mike Anagnostakis is unhinged and would willingly play into the
hands of liberal NYC Democrats to feed his own ego,” said Bob Driscoll,
Basile’s spokesman. “Former Democrat Mike Anagnostakis has
a long-standing reputation for political opportunism and grandstanding.
It’s sad and not what our families and businesses need in their
senator.”
Driscoll said Basile “has been cultivating strong relationships
with voters, community leaders, elected officials and party leaders from
across this district for years. It’s the reason Senator Bill Larkin
trusts him to fight for our families and businesses in the Senate. Mike
Anagnostakis has been desperately trying to get his name in the paper.
It couldn’t be clearer that Mr. Anagnostakis is less interested
in protecting taxpayers from a NYC-controlled agenda that will bankrupt
the state, and more interested in fighting for himself. Tom Basile enjoys
broad support among Republicans, Conservatives, Independence party members
and even Democrats because he’s running an inclusive campaign focused
on making our area more affordable for everyone.”
Driscoll said, “With a reputation like his, he has no path to victory
in a primary or the general election.”
On the Democratic side, Assemblyman James Skoufis is considering a run
and has already registered a campaign committee with the state Board of
Elections.
