Congressional candidate Chatzky brings campaign to Mahopac

MAHOPAC, N.Y. - Peter Chatzky, Democratic Congressional candidate for NY-17, continued his campaign tour on Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Mahopac Public Library. 

Chatzky addressed Putnam County residents and spoke about the national housing shortage, a deficit estimated to be around 4.7 million units. Chatzky explained how diversifying housing stock could be the key to addressing this shortage, an argument he recently made in Real Estate In-Depth, based on his success overseeing housing development projects in his home village of Briarcliff Manor, where he currently serves as deputy mayor. Separately, he serves as vice chairman of the Briarcliff Manor Local Development Corporation. 

The conversation also touched on rising utility costs, a significant concern for Hudson Valley residents, many of whom have experienced a 20 percent rate hike from utility providers over the past three years. Briarcliff Manor is one of nearly 40 municipalities that have joined a lawsuit against ConEd for the rate increases.

Chatzky also spoke with Putnam County residents about the need to improve water infrastructure in Putnam and Dutchess counties, highlighting his previous work forming a tri-village water consortium to support water infrastructure improvements in Westchester while also bringing down costs for Briarcliff Manor residents.

Chatzky also used the opportunity to attack his potential general election opponent, Congressman Mike Lawler, for his support of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” which, he claimed, is expected to reduce funding for affordable housing, increase expenses for New Yorkers, and kick tens of thousands of Hudson Valley residents off their healthcare plans. 

The event was co-hosted by Putnam County Legislature candidate, Lenny Harrington, who is running in the 9th District to unseat Erin Crowley, who is also a member of Congressman Mike Lawler’s staff.

 “It has become increasingly unaffordable for working middle class families to live in New York State,” Chatzky said. “For too long we have relied on the same old playbook that got us into this mess. It’s time to embrace new leaders, and new ideas, which is why I am touring the Hudson Valley to speak directly to New Yorkers about why I believe abundance will be the key to bringing down housing costs across our state. We have already seen the positive impact that building more housing, especially a diverse stock of housing, would bring to Briarcliff. Let’s expand that approach to the rest of the Hudson Valley, as well as finally put a stop to egregious rate hikes from monopolistic utilities, to ensure that New York stays affordable for all who wish to live here.”