Candidates Make Last Pitch to East Hampton Voters

With Election Day fast approaching, East Hampton Patch is giving the candidates for U.S. Congress, New York State Senate and New York State Assembly the chance to make their elevator pitches for East Hampton votes. They each get a chance to make their best argument for why they would be best suited to stay in charge or take over the reins from the incumbent.

U.S. Congress, District 1

Timothy Bishop (D) Incumbent

Democrat, Independence, Working Families lines

"I want to continue to use the federal government to provide resources to the local government that then relieves local government of the tax burden. What I have done over the last several years is try to use fed government as a means to provide tax relief for the local government and we've been very successful with that.

My opponent says he would have voted against the stimulus bill – so the rail spur modification would not be happening. This federal money to schools would not be happening.

I think one of things Fed government does badly is wade into a community and say 'OK guys, we know best.' I believe my job is to work with local government and local stakeholders and try and deliver to help them achieve priorities they've established.

I think this is the toughest reelection I've had. I don't think that's any surprise.

This is a tough race. But I think it's a reflection primarily of times. There's an awful lot of anger out there, a lot of cynicism and skepticism. A lot of fear. We are in tough times – no reasonable person would argue otherwise.

But my opponent just moved here. He's not a person of this area, of this district – by the way, he's a formidable opponent. I'm not taking anything away from him. But I think it's more about how difficult the circumstances are."

 — Tim Bishop

Randy Altschuler (R)

Republican, Conservative lines

"People react to a positive message about what you're going to be doing. People react positively to the fact that I'm a businessman. I'm a private sector businessman and Bishop isn't.

I've created over 700 jobs in the United States, so I know how to create jobs. I've met and managed a budget. I'm raising a family – I have a son that's 3 – so I can understand firsthand the challenges facing families right now.  

Tim Bishop is not voting with the people of this district. He's voting with his party. Hence his 97 percent voting rate with Nancy Pelosi. He has supported a slew of legislation that is not in the best interest of the district.

That includes healthcare, cap-and-trade legislation, bailouts. He didn't vote to extend the 2001 Republican tax cuts. In a nutshell, he's not voting in the best interest of the district. He's voting what his party tells him to.

The healthcare bill is not going to lower the cost of healthcare. It's not going to increase the choice of providers. In the end there are better ways to assist people. My wife is a pediatrician, so I understand firsthand as an employer and someone whose wife is a doctor how broken the healthcare system is. Costs are rising too quickly and not enough people have insurance. But this exacerbates the problem. It doesn't improve it."

— Randy Altschuler

New York State Senate, District 1

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R) Incumbent

Republic, Conservative, Independent and School Tax Relief lines

"I am committed to changing the policies and direction of this state, and restoring the bonds of trust between people and their elected representatives. My top priorities remain strengthening the economy, creating jobs, providing property tax relief, eliminating taxes, and capping state spending.  Working together with individuals, groups and communities, we have accomplished so much.  However, there is more to be done.  We need to restore balance to Albany and make sure that the suburban needs of our region are addressed. It has been a privilege to represent the people of the First Senatorial District.  I hope that you will continue to support me on November 2nd." 

— Senator Kenneth LaValle

Jennifer J. Maertz (D)

Democrat line

"Residents of the First Senatorial District should vote based on where they believe state government should be headed into the next decade. I have a clear agenda of reforming state government - including the Legislature - so we can have a strong, clean foundation to move forward. My priorities are fair share of state resources for Long Island, significantly lower property taxes to make living here affordable, and providing steadfast support of families and civil rights for all. This agenda is clearly in line with the values of the district - and will allow us as a community to look to the future and not the past."

— Jennifer Maertz

New York State Assembly, District 2

Assemblyman Fred Thiele (I), Incumbent

Democrat, Independent and Working Families Lines

"Throughout my tenure as an elected official, I have been proud of my record as an independent thinker and legislator.  I am one of two Independent members of the State Legislature and I have been named one of Albany's most independent voices by The New York Times.  Each day, I fight for policies and issues that are important to East End residents and their families.  I voted against the MTA Payroll Tax. I support a property tax cap and was one of the first legislators in the state to introduce legislation creating one.  I sponsor legislation that imposes strong campaign finance and ethics reforms.  I ask for your vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2nd and want to continue to my record as an advocate for the 2nd Assembly District."   

— Assemblyman Fred Thiele

Richard A. Blumenthal (R)

Republican and Conservative Lines

"Property taxes are built into every part of our local economy, constantly raising the cost of living for everyone and killing jobs. We need a law prohibiting elected officials from holding more than one titled, paid government position at a time. Amazingly, it's currently legal and an issue in our own district. There is too much risk for conflict of interest and it should be illegal. There are many more issues that the professional politicians have ignored for so long, doing so much damage. I've got real ideas that I know can help. Please vote for me on November second. Thanks so much."

— Richard Blumenthal