Politics

Sarita Bhandarkar Announces Candidacy For Assembly District 99

Published

6 years ago

February 24, 2020

GOSHEN, NY: The Orange County Democratic committee announced they would be supporting Sarita Bhandarkar as the Democratic candidate for the 99th State Assembly district.

Sarita was born and raised in Orange County, and has been working as an attorney in the Hudson Valley, focusing her practice on estate planning, elder law, Medicaid planning and special needs planning. She worked in private practice before opening her own office, Bhandarkar Law, P.C., in Cornwall in 2018. In addition to her work, Sarita has volunteered with various area nonprofits over the years, including Leadership Orange, the Community Foundation’s Professional Advisors Council, the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council, Arc of Orange County, Habitat for Humanity, the Dispute Resolution Center, and Girls on the Run.

Sarita told a packed crowd at the Wallkill Community Center that she “felt compelled to run because residents of the 99th district have not had a real advocate with real experience working on their behalf since James Skoufis left the Assembly to become NYS Senator.”

“Both as an attorney and as a community volunteer, I have learned to work effectively with and on behalf of people who do not always think, believe, act, or look like I do. What I bring to the table is a willingness and an ability to communicate and collaborate with others. Those skills have driven my real-world accomplishments in law and in starting my own business. I truly believe by working together here and in Albany, we can improve the quality of life in Orange County for ourselves and our
neighbors, whether they are red, blue, or in between. It’s time for the 99th District to have an advocate in Albany again.” said Sarita Bhandarkar

The 99th Assembly district includes the towns of Woodbury, Highlands, Cornwall, New Windsor, Blooming Grove, Hamptonburgh, Chester, Goshen and Wawayanda as well as the town of Stony Point in Rockland County, and was formerly represented by James Skoufis.

Politics

Brett Yagel Announces Candidacy for New York State Assembly in 96th District

Published

3 months ago

January 19, 2026

Rockland Report Editor

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Brett Yagel, the former Mayor of the Village of Pomona has officially announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.

Below you can read Yagel’s full announcement:

“I am proud to announce that I am seeking the support of the Republican and Conservative Parties as a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.
I am not a career politician. I am a problem solver. As Mayor and as a professional working for one of the world’s largest defense contractors, I have spent my career focused on results, accountability, and getting complex jobs done the right way. Leadership and responsibility are not abstract concepts to me. They are values I have lived every day in public service and in the private sector.

Albany is broken. It is dominated by career politicians who create problems, expand government, and then ask for more power to fix the very messes they created. The people of the 96th District deserve better than politics as usual.

Our district needs a leader with real world experience, common sense, and the courage to challenge the status quo. I am ready to bring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and practical,
results driven solutions to Albany. Most importantly, I will be a strong and independent voice for the hardworking families of the 96th District.

If you are tired of excuses and ready for real results, I would be honored to earn your support.”

Yagel will running against incumbent Assemblyman Patrick Carroll.

Politics

Congressman Mike Lawler Announces Bid for Reelection to Congress, Will Not Run for Governor

Published

9 months ago

July 23, 2025

Rockland Report Editor

Rockland County, NY — Congressman Mike Lawler, a lifelong Rockland County resident and graduate of Suffern High School, officially announced today that he will seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, putting to rest speculation that he might enter the race for Governor of New York.

Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, said his decision to remain focused on Congress reflects his commitment to continuing the work he’s started on behalf of Hudson Valley residents. Since taking office in January 2023, Lawler’s office has closed over 6,000 constituent service cases and successfully returned more than $27.2 million to residents throughout the district.

One of his signature achievements has been his leadership in reforming the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. Under Lawler’s advocacy, the SALT cap was quadrupled to $40,000, providing significant tax relief to middle-class families across the region for the next ten years.

Lawler’s decision not to run for governor preserves his role as a key Republican voice in a competitive swing district, and positions him for what is expected to be a closely watched race in 2026.
About Congressman Mike Lawler:

New York’s 17th Congressional District, includes Rockland and portions of Westchester and Putnam County.