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Reactions to Rockland County Republican Party Controversial “Ramapo Invasion” Video

Published

7 years ago

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NEW CITY, NY – Reactions are pouring in regarding a controversial video posted on the official Rockland County Republican Party Facebook page.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day

“The video posted by the Rockland County Republican Party to their Facebook page has set a troubling tone for a necessary conversation about overdevelopment in our county. While the content of the video is factual, the tone and undercurrent is unacceptable.

Having listened closely to the concerns raised by residents and community leaders, I have contacted GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey to request its removal and he assured me that he will.”

As I have demonstrated, I have a great deal of respect for our Jewish neighbors and want them to know that as their County Executive I will always stand up against hatred. That said, the concerns raised about overdevelopment are accurate, well-grounded and desperately need to be addressed, but this must be done in a way free of rhetoric and rancor.

Governor Andrew Cuomo

NYS Attorney General Tish James

Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski

Rockland has many issues: illegal housing, education, overdevelopment, taxes, corruption etc. and I will continue to fight for them in way that offers concrete solutions. The sad fact is the Republican Chair would rather us fight about his inappropriate video than work on these problems in a mature and effective way. We should all condemn the imagery in this video that is meant to stoke fear. Afterwards we should probably ignore his facebook page of immature memes and videos and focus on the serious work we need to do to move our County and State forward. Rocklanders deserve better than this.

Senator James Skoufis

There are major issues in Rockland County that require even-tempered solutions: overdevelopment, including its impacts on our natural resources; the vitality of our local schools; and political corruption, to name a few.

There’s a right way and a wrong way to discuss these challenges. The video created by the Rockland County GOP is unequivocally the wrong way. Words and imagery matter and this campaign piece falls far short of what people deserve in their political discourse.

The video ought to be immediately removed.

Senator David Carlucci

“Hateful rhetoric must be denounced wherever it is seen. Words have meaning. This video is an attempt to create fear and division, while offering no solutions. In Rockland, we must rise above party politics and work together to combat over development and lax code enforcement.”

Naftuli Nick Moster – President and Founder of YAFFED (Young Advocates for Fair Education)

I don’t approve of this video. While Aron Wieder is a vile human being and an ignoramus, this is more of an attack on the entire ultra-Orthodox community, many of whom don’t agree with Wieder and his antics.

I also want to take this opportunity to call out the broader Jewish community for not speaking up when one of our own, emboldened by corrupt leaders, is causing so much division and hatred in this county.

Community Activist Group Citizens United to Protect our Neighborhood (CUPON)

Joseph Coe, Spokesperson, Rockland County Democratic Committee

The Trump playbook of using fear and division has been mastered by the leadership of the Rockland Republican Party for years. Anyone who is surprised that the Rockland County Republican Party produced an anti-Semitic video aimed at mobilizing voters hasn’t been paying attention. County Executive Ed Day, DA candidate Tom Walsh and all republican party nominees need to step up and denounce this latest video and demand that Rockland Republican Chairperson Lawrence Garvey immediately resign. Democrats, Republicans and everyone in between can and should have robust and civil policy debates- Lawrence Garvey’s use of fear and hate deter us from that objective.

Mondaire Jones – Community leader and candidate for Congress (NY-17)

Clarkstown Town Councilman Patrick Carroll

Reactions in support of the video –

Republican Party Chairman Lawrence Garvey

James Foley, candidate for Rockland County Legislature.

* We have reached out to Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee for comments (the two last remaining Rockland elected officials to comment). This article will be updated as they are available.

At the time of writing this article, the video is still posted online. *Update – as of 10:30 am the video was removed.

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

Published

3 months ago

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January 19, 2026

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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.

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

Published

9 months ago

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July 23, 2025

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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.

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