The 2024 Election: A Critical Moment for Patterson
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With the 2024 election approaching on November 5, PattersonFirst is focusing on two key positions that will significantly impact our community: the vacant Town Board seat and the County Legislative seat representing District 4. This election represents a crucial turning point for Patterson, and for the first time, PattersonFirst has two candidates on the ballot.
County Legislative Seat – District 4
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This summer’s Republican primary for the County Legislative seat was highly contentious, with two main contenders: Laura Russo and Jennifer Bumgarner. Russo, who failed to secure a Town Board seat in 2023, subsequently became the Chair of the Patterson Republican Committee, a position she used to gain the Republican nomination for County Legislature. Her selection, however, was under circumstances that many found questionable. Bumgarner, a more qualified candidate in our view, narrowly lost the primary by just six votes.
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Our endorsement process for the June Republican primary revealed much about the candidates. Laura Russo’s conduct raised serious concerns about her integrity and fitness for public office. For example, as Chair of the Republican Committee, she withheld Jennifer Bumgarner’s candidacy letter from consideration, as well as letters from two other candidates seeking other positions. This deceitful action undermined the transparency and fairness of the process.
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Moreover, Russo did not participate in key public forums such as the VFW’s Meet the Candidate Night back then, where candidates were expected to face their constituents. Instead, she only attended a closed-door Putnam County Republican Women’s Club candidate event, further distancing herself from the community. At this event, previously vetted questions (allowed by only members of this club) were posed to the candidates. Prior to the start of this event, Bumgarner took every opportunity to engage with and further demonstrate her ability to communicate with residents. Laura Russo appeared to be sequestered in a side room until the program started. Despite losing the primary, Bumgarner has since become Chair of the Patterson Republican Committee (previously held by Russo), reflecting an important shift in local political leadership.
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Russo’s campaign was further marred by the involvement of the County Executive and the New York State Republican machine, which launched a smear campaign against Bumgarner, questioning her credibility without basis. This outside interference in our local election highlighted the disconnect between Russo’s backers and the residents of Patterson. The funding for her campaign came primarily from external sources, and many of the mailings and robocalls supporting Russo were from organizations and hired canvassers outside our town, not from local citizens.
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In contrast, Randall Mulkins, the Democratic candidate for County Legislator, brings a refreshing perspective. As President of the Patterson Fire Department, Mulkins oversees nearly a million-dollar budget. He is also active in the U.S. Army Reserves, studying to become a nurse, and tutors nursing students. While he lacks the direct government experience of Jennifer Bumgarner, he is still significantly more qualified than Laura Russo. Importantly, Mulkins is not beholden to the County Executive or any political machine, making him a true independent voice for Patterson.
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Given these factors, PattersonFirst endorses Randall Mulkins for County Legislator in District 4. His leadership, independence, and commitment to the community make him the best candidate to represent Patterson’s interests. Please see a letter from Randall Mulkins here.
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Town Board Seat
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The sudden resignation of Peter Dandreano from the Town Board has opened up a one-year term, and the candidates for this seat are Joseph Esposito (Republican) and Sonya Abby Taylor (Democrat). Both are relatively new to the political scene, but PattersonFirst has decided to endorse Taylor.
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Sonya Abby Taylor has lived in Patterson for many years, has a strong educational background, and has consistently attended Town meetings, showing her dedication to understanding the issues that matter to our residents. She is professional and focused on working for the good of Patterson.
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On the other hand, Joseph Esposito’s involvement in the 2023 Town Board election was troubling. He was directly involved in a series of highly personal and offensive attacks on our Town Supervisor, which went far beyond the usual political discourse. These actions raise questions about Esposito’s ability to work constructively with the same people he previously tried to discredit. While he may be energetic, his conduct during the previous election casts doubt on his suitability for the Town Board.
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PattersonFirst believes that if you’re seeking genuine change and new ideas, Sonya Abby Taylor is the right choice. She will bring a Democratic voice to the Town Board and promises to work in the best interest of our community. Sonya will appear on both the Democratic and PattersonFirst lines on the November 5 ballot.
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The Bigger Picture
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This election presents a crucial moment for Patterson, and the choices we make will shape the future of our town. Unfortunately, much of the campaign support for candidates like Laura Russo has come from outside Patterson, driven by political agendas that don’t align with our community’s needs. In contrast, candidates like Randall Mulkins and Sonya Abby Taylor have demonstrated their commitment to serving Patterson, not external interests.
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We encourage every resident to do their research, make informed decisions, and vote on November 5. Your vote is critical in ensuring that our town is represented by individuals who genuinely care about our community and its future.
