Conley decisive victor in Democratic primary

By MARTIN WILBUR and JEFF MORRIS

Cait Conley cruised to an easy victory in the 17th Congressional District’s Democratic primary Tuesday, making her the party’s nominee to take on two-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the general election.

Cait Conley in Tarrytown after Tuesday's victory. MARTIN WILBUR PHOTO

Unofficial results after midnight Wednesday morning showed Conley leading Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson by more than 8,000 votes (22,749-14,671), capturing nearly half of the vote with about 94% of the vote counted. Tarrytown village Trustee Effie Phillips-Staley finished a distant third by picking up 7,012 votes followed by Mike Sacks and John Cappello.

Loud cheers erupted at Conley’s headquarters at the Travelers Rest in Ossining about 9:45 p.m. when word reached some of the hundreds of supporters that she had built an insurmountable lead. With some holding signs, they began chanting Conley’s name.

Conley said her campaign will continue to be about fighting for working families, the country and for the values that define America.

“One year ago we launched this campaign with a simple rule — that the Hudson Valley deserves a representative who puts service above self, who puts country ahead of party and who puts working families above special interests,” Conley told her cheering supporters. “Tonight everyone can hear that message loud and clear.”

During her year of campaigning throughout the district, Conley said she met and spoke with many people, some of whom were struggling and exhausted by the divisive politics, “but who have not given up on the promise of America.”

“This campaign has never been about one person,” Conley said. “It is about the belief that leadership should be rooted in service, that we should demand selflessness in those who represent us.”

Conley, a West Point graduate who served in the Army 16 years and is a special operations combat veteran, also took the opportunity to hammer Lawler on his record, including his unflagging support for President Donald Trump’s agenda. In the past 17 months, Trump and Lawler have cut healthcare or have made it more expensive, thousands of district residents who need food assistance have had difficulty accessing it, and tens of billions of dollars have been spent on the Iran war without a clear strategy, critics have said.

“At the end of the day, no matter what he tries to say, Mike Lawler only votes one way, Donald Trump’s way,” she said.

Davidson conceded the race shortly after Conley claimed victory. Her campaign put out a statement that she will help to turn the crucial swing district to the Democrats’ favor this fall.

“Tonight the voters of NY-17 chose a different path forward, and I congratulate Cait Conley on her win,” Davidson said in a statement. “I am proud of the grassroots campaign we built together over these past 16 months, and I am deeply grateful to every volunteer, supporter, and voter who believed that the Hudson Valley deserves better than Mike Lawler. While this outcome is disappointing, my commitment to this community has not changed, and I will work hard to ensure Cait defeats Mike Lawler in November. The friendships and purpose built through this campaign will endure long after tonight.”

Barely a half-hour after the race was called, Lawler was already challenging Conley to a series of six debates, hoping the first one takes place shortly after July 4. 

Later, the National Republican Congressional Committee lauded Lawler’s record, including his efforts to quadruple the cap on state and local taxes, ensuring that Medicaid is there for those who need it most and making communities across the district safer.

“Meanwhile, shady Democrat Cait Conley wants to raise taxes and costs, supports taxpayer-funded sex changes for kids and was a key architect of Biden's botched Afghanistan withdrawal that left 13 service members dead,” said NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole. “Voters do not trust Cait Conley, and they'll proudly reelect Mike Lawler this fall.” 

In the latter stages of the campaign, Conley accused Republicans of pouring in $1.5 million in “MAGA dark money super PACS” in a desperate attempt to derail her congressional bid..

In Rockland, Beth Davidson’s home county, with all 307 districts reporting, Conley led, 7,253 to Davidson’s 6,870 (41.8% to 39.6%). Effie Phillips-Staley was third there with 2,199 votes, or 12.7%. 

Rockland was expected to be Davidson’s strongest base of support, with her campaign claiming her strength there would make her the likeliest candidate to be able to defeat Lawler, whose home is also on that side of the Hudson.

In Westchester, with all districts reporting, Conley led with 53% of the vote to Davidson’s 26% and Phillips-Staley’s 18%. Sacks and Capello had 2% and 1%, respectively.