YORKTOWN, N.Y.—In Part 3 of the Year in Review, we look back at two local special elections.
Lachterman becomes supervisor
The passing of Tom Diana necessitated two special elections in 2024: the first for town supervisor between then-acting Supervisor Ed Lachterman (R) and Diana’s fall 2023 opponent Jann Mirchandani (D), and, later, a vote to fill the Town Board seat vacated by Lachterman.
In the April 16 special election, Lachterman defeated Mirchandani with 55 percent of the vote.
A Yorktown resident for around 30 years, the small business owner became a Town Board member in 2015 and was named deputy supervisor by Diana, becoming acting supervisor upon Diana’s passing.
“I am very grateful for the people of Yorktown who have the faith and confidence to elect me into this position,” Lachterman said after the vote.
“This is the most bittersweet win that I’ve ever had, as it is because my friend Tom Diana is not here to share it with me. I want to thank all the volunteers who worked with me to get me over the finish line with a special thank you to my wife, Carol, who quarterbacked my campaign for me while I attended to the business of the town.”
Siegel Elected to Town Board
Councilman Ed Lachterman’s elevation to supervisor in the April special election left a seat vacant on the Town Board, prompting Yorktown’s second special election of 2024. The July 23 contest to fill the Town Board seat saw Republican Donna Diana, wife of the late supervisor take on Democrat (and frequent Yorktown News columnist) Susan Siegel.
Siegel prevailed with 51 percent of the vote.
“I’m grateful for the show of support from Yorktown’s voters,” Siegel said after the election. “I’m looking forward to ...working on behalf of Yorktown residents.”
A Yorktown resident for 54 years, Siegel—the lone Democrat on the board—is no stranger to local politics. She served as supervisor from 2010 to 2011 and as a councilwoman in 2015.
Incumbents Win Fall Elections
Office-holders in both parties retained Yorktown’s support in the November general for state offices and U.S. Congress. The town’s two Assembly districts saw hometown man Matt Slater (R) beat back a challenge from Mahopac-based newcomer Zack Couzens (D), with Ossining’s Dana Levenberg (D) doing the same to Yorktown’s Mike Capalbo. Sen. Pete Harckham (D) defeated his Republican challenger Gina Arena, while Republican Congressman Mike Lawler topped Democrat Mondaire Jones.
School Votes Confirm Status Quo
Yorktown and Lakeland school district voters decisively approved their respective budgets on May 21. Each district also returned incumbents to the school board.
Yorktown CSD voters overwhelmingly said “yes” to the administration’s $119,110,000 budget. Jackie Cerbone and Peter Bisaccia ran uncontested for reelection to the Board of Education.
Lakeland’s $191,413,753 budget passed with nearly 75 percent in favor. The district’s vehicle bond proposition also passed by a wide margin.
With four candidates vying for three seats, incumbents Mike Daly, Anna Massaro, and Becky Burfeind were returned to the school board, defeating challenger Tracy Sadler-Hormazabel.
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