MAHOPAC, N.Y.—With three-term Putnam County legislator and current chair of that body revealing this week that she would not seek reelection next fall, two local Republicans have already expressed interest in taking her seat in District 8, which includes parts of Mahopac.
Carmel Councilman Frank Lombardi and Mahopac School Board Trustee Tanner McCracken are seeking the Republican committee’s endorsement.
“With Putnam County Legislator Amy Sayegh deciding not to seek another term on the Legislature in District 8, I have been asked to give strong consideration to running for her seat, in a district that I have lived in for over 20 years, with 14 years of experience on the Carmel Town Board, counsel to state Sen. Terrence Murphy, deputy supervisor for over 10 years, and a law degree,” Lombardi said in a Facebook post that he also texted to Mahopac News. “I hope to have the support of my neighbors and friends.”
While Lombardi’s initial post said he was considering whether to run, he told Mahopac News he was “100 percent in.”
“I have lived in the district for 23 years. I’ve raised children in the district,” he said Friday. “I have paid taxes. I’ve paid a mortgage. I’ve put three kids through school. I’m an experienced attorney with a degree in public administration, 14 years on the Town Board, 10 years as deputy supervisor, counsel to Terrence Murphy, a member of the Planning Board and Environmental Conservation Board, and a member of the Carmel Republican Committee for over 20 years.”
McCracken officially announced his run Thursday.
“Property taxes are crushing families,” he said in a prepared statement. “The cost of living is out of control. Seniors deserve to be able to afford to stay and live here, and young families deserve a future here. That’s why I’m stepping up. I didn’t just talk about these issues on the School Board—I delivered. Property tax relief for veterans, seniors, and first responders, transparency policy reforms, expanding free speech and increasing public comment time, and a first-in-the-state personal financial literacy graduation requirement. Now it’s time to bring that same results-driven approach to county government. I have called Mahopac home since I walked into Mahopac schools at seven years old. Serving my community and fighting to make sure my neighbors can afford to live here is personal to me. This isn’t about politics—it’s about protecting the future of Putnam County.”
While no public endorsements had been made before press time, several people close to GOP politics said Lombardi had strong support within the committee. Neither McCracken nor Lombardi said whether they would challenge the other in a primary after the GOP committee’s decision.
McCracken told Mahopac News his experience on the school board—which he joined at age 20—and as an aide to state Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt would translate well to the county Legislature.
He said he would focus on affordability and transparency, and that the decision to run came easily.
“When I heard that Legislator Sayegh was not going to seek reelection, I jumped right at this opportunity because I feel like this is something that our county needs,” he said. “I love my home, and I’m proud of what I’ve done on the school board. The results I brought to the school board are what I want to bring to the county level, and I think it’s needed.”
Sayegh told Mahopac News she decided not to seek reelection because she wants to spend more time with family.
“I really think three terms is enough for me,” she said, adding that she decided to announce her intentions before the new year to give her party time to prepare.
“I think now is the time because they’ll be interviewing new candidates in mid-January,” Sayegh said. “That gives potential candidates only about a month to get everything together and appeal to the committees. I was going to wait until after the holidays, but I’d rather do it now and enjoy the time.”
Sayegh said she plans to stay involved in the community and would help the GOP’s chosen candidate any way she can.
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