Binghamton's newest City Court Judge Sworn In

Deputy Chief Adminsitative Judge Michael V. Coccoma yesterday swore in Carol A. Cocchiola, flamed by her husband Kevin P. Dooley and her son Alex, as Binghamton newest City Court Judge at the State Office Building. She'll bring years of valuable experience as a Senior District Attorney and Assistant Attorney General to the bench. Judge Cocciola was appointed by Mayor Rich David to fill the seat following the retirement of Judge Mary Anne Lehmann, and will be on the ballot this fall seeing a full term. 

AL GARDINER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN

BINGHAMTON, NY. Al Gardiner announced his candidacy for the Broome County Legislature this afternoon. He will be running in Legislative District #15, which covers the entire south side of the City of Binghamton and a portion of the west side. 

Al Gardiner detailed some of his priorities. “Three of the most important things I want to work hard for are keeping our county property taxes as low as possible, eliminating neighborhood blight, and furthering cooperation between the City of Binghamton and Broome County. There will be other issues that come forward over the coming weeks and months. But these three issues are crucial to ensure that Legislative District #15 takes a step forward, not a step backwards.” 

Mayor Rich David, who was also present, said, “Al would be a great partner with for City officials like myself and the Councilmembers to address problems facing our neighborhoods such as crime. We’re all in this together and it’s only through working together than we can succeed.” 

Councilman Chris Papastrat, who encouraged Al to run, added, “I have been friends with Al Gardiner for many years. He and his family have been proud to call the south side of Binghamton home for over 20 years. I was one of the first people on the south side of Binghamton to suggest to Al that he consider running for County Legislature. He’s the right man for the job. He’ll help the 15th District take a step forwards, and not a step backwards.” 

Al is a Captain with the Binghamton Fire Department and lives with his wife Sharyon and two sons on Hawthorne Road on Binghamton's Southside.

Supporters Cheer on Gubernatorial Hopeful Rob Astorino at Broome Republican Lincoln Day Dinner

(Binghamton, NY) Tonight the Broome County Republican Committee welcomed more than 400 supporters to cheer on Westchester County Executive and Gubernatorial Hopeful Rob Astorino at its Lincoln Day Dinner at the Hilton Doubletree in Binghamton.

The enthusiastic crowd was the largest the Committee has hosted in more than a decade.

“It’s great to see so many Republican activists and supporters come out tonight,” said Chairman Datta. “Locally, Republicans have flipped seat after seat from the Democrats over the last few years because we’re getting things done rather than just talking about it, and we’re gearing up to do the same Statewide this year.”

Mr. Astorino has been featured in numerous statewide and national publications as a formidable candidate against Governor Andrew Cuomo, including in the NY Post, NY Daily News, NY Times, National Review, and many others. His keynote speech focused on how Cuomo has spent his four years in office wasting taxpayer dollars and managing the decline of New York State.

"I'm so honored to be a part of tonight's event," said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. "Chairman Datta and the entire Broome County Republican Committee deserve enormous credit for not only putting together an amazing evening, but for creating a strong and vibrant organization. The Southern Tier has been suffering under Governor Cuomo's policies that are driving jobs and people to other states. You could feel the excitement from the hundreds of supporters who are energized about reversing that trend and putting New York back in the winning column. We can make New York great again.

Datta praised Astorino’s record in Westchester County, where he was re-elected by a wide margin last November.

“Rob is a proven winner who has succeeded at getting elected in a heavily Democratic county, and who has delivered on his promises,” said Datta. “He has kept taxes in line and created jobs. That’s what we need more of across the whole state.”

County Executive Astorino was re-elected in 2013 by a 12-point margin, running on the Republican and Conservative lines in a county with a 2-1 Democratic enrollment advantage. He was able to freeze or cut the County tax levy in each year he has served, reducing overall spending by 5.2%. Under Astorino, from 2010 to 2013, Westchester County has created 27,000 new private-sector jobs.

Major elected officials at tonight’s Dinner included Congressman Richard Hanna, Senator Tom Libous, Assemblymen Cliff Crouch, Chris Friend and Gary Finch, County Executive Debbie Preston, County Sheriff Dave Harder, County Clerk Rick Blythe, Binghamton Mayor Rich David, Broome County Conservative Chairman James Thomas and many other local officials.

Influential Republican leaders from across the State traveled to Binghamton tonight to show their support for Broome County’s Republican leadership. Notable political figures in attendance included New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox, Tioga County Republican Chairman Don Leonard, Chemung County Republican

Chairman Rodney Strange, Oswego County Republican Chairman Mike Backus and Orleans County Republican Chairman Ed Morgan.

“I’m thrilled to be here on the Southern Tier, home to great Republican veterans like Senator Tom Libous and County Executive Debbie Preston, as well as Republican Rising Stars like Mayor Rich David and Chairman Bijoy Datta.  Thanks to all of their great work, Republicans around the state can look forward to another great year in 2014.”

Broome County has received Statewide attention in political circles for its recent trend of strong Republican electoral victories, including winning the Binghamton Mayor’s Office with the victory of Republican Rich David in 2013, winning the Broome County Executive’s Office with the victory of Republican Debbie Preston in 2011 (and her re-election to a full term in 2012), winning control of the County Legislature with a Republican Majority in 2010, and holding 15 of 16 current Town Supervisor seats.

Broome County Republican Executive Committee Endorses Hanna

Binghamton, N.Y. -- The Executive Committee of the Broome County Republican Committee unanimously endorsed Richard Hanna in his re-election bid for Congress, Chairman Bijoy Datta announced today.

The 22nd Congressional District includes nearly all of Broome County. It also includes all of Chenango, Cortland, Madison and Oneida counties, as well as part of Herkimer, Oswego, and Tioga counties.

"The Executive Committee of the Broome County Republican Committee is very proud to call Richard Hanna Representative of the 22nd Congressional District, and we're excited to endorse his re-election," Chairman Data said. "He is a strong advocate for Broome County and the entire Southern Tier. We look forward to Congressman Hanna having another term in the House of Representatives where he can continue his work as a great ally and leader for Broome County."

"

Rising Star to Deliver Keynote at Annual Broome Lincoln Day Dinner

Republican Rising Star Rob Astorino to Deliver Keynote

at Annual Broome Lincoln Day Dinner

The Broome County Republicans are proud to announce that Westchester County Executive and rumored Republican challenger to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Rob Astorino, will be a special guest and Keynote Speaker at the Annual Lincoln Day Dinner on February 28, 2014.

Astorino was re-elected to office in November 2013 by a 12-point margin, running on the Republican and Conservatives lines in a county with a 2-1 Democratic enrollment advantage. Astorino, who is fluent in Spanish, received an estimated 62% of the Latino vote in 2013, and he has built a strong relationship in the African-American community. His willingness to share credit to achieve bipartisan success has become one of his signature strengths.

In 2009, Astorino fulfilled his 2009 pledge to voters and addressed the “tax madness” in a county with the highest property taxes in America. Astorino was able to freeze or cut county tax levy each year he has served, reducing overall spending in the county by 5.2%.  Under Astorino, from 2010-2013, Westchester County has created 27,000 new private-sector jobs.

Additionally, Astorino has stood firmly against a historic federal overreach attempt into Westchester County by President Obama which would make Westchester a national template for a radical social engineering scheme that would give Washington power to dismantle local zoning laws across the nation.

The Lincoln Day Dinner is set for February 28, 2014. Tickets are available for $60 per person, $600 per table, or $1000 for a Premium Sponsorship. Please contact Info@BroomeRepublicans.com or 607-723-8201 to reserve your tickets or for more information.

Sheriff Dave Harder Announces Run for Re-Election

(Endwell, NY) David E. Harder tonight formally announced his candidacy for re-election as Broome County Sheriff.

Sheriff Harder made the announcement before a crowd of approximately 100 supporters at Brothers Two Restaurant in Endwell.

“The Sheriff’s Office has come a long way since I took office in January 1999,” said Sheriff Harder. “When I took over, we didn’t even have computers in the office. Now we have mobile computers in every vehicle and are developing a new mobile app to give the public important information right in the palms of their hands on their smartphones.”

Aside from discussing technology improvements that help make the Sheriff’s Office work smarter and more efficiently, Sheriff Harder shared information about keeping the public safe during the floods of 2006 and 2011, increasing standards at the Sheriff’s Office, and investigating and solving challenging and sometimes disturbing crimes.

“I get out of bed every morning because I want to help people. And I’m not done helping yet,” Harder added. “I look forward to earning your vote again this fall so we can keep doing our best to make Broome County the safest place it can be.”

Following a decades-long decorated career in law enforcement, Harder was first elected Sheriff in 1998, and subsequently won re-election in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

He lives in Conklin with his wife, Linda, and will run again as a Republican this year.

- end-

Rich David Takes Oath of Office

Binghamton, NY – Republican Rich David took the oath and was sworn in as the Mayor of Binghamton.

“I’m very excited and I’m very eager. I mean this is really is kind of the last but most important part of the campaign process being sworn in. Tomorrow I can actually go to work and we can start making decisions and moving in a new direction,” David said.

Succeeding Matt Ryan, Democrat, David is Binghamton’s first new mayor since 2006.

Getting right to work, David says he is ready to fulfill his campaign promises and make Binghamton a safer place. In light of the recent increase in criminal activity, “This city will not be a great city until we are a safe city,” David said, “I’m very concerned by the recent reductions and I’m going to gradually move forward through the ranks and have a full court press on crime.”

David is currently collecting applications for appointed positions. In the next couple months, David hopes to have all appointments filled. To apply visit Rich David’s website.