One candidate answers questions

District 93 Assembly candidates Chris Burdick and Braille Diaz

By JEFF MORRIS

District 93 Assemblymember Chris Burdick is being challenged in Tuesday’s election by Braille Diaz.

Burdick, a Democrat and former Bedford town supervisor, is seeking a fourth term in the Assembly. Diaz, a Republican, is a member of the Mount Kisco Ethics Board and has previously been a candidate for the Village Board and county legislator.

The Recorder sent questions to both candidates. Diaz was contacted multiple times by email and phone, acknowledged receiving the questions and promised to return his answers, but no response was received by the deadline.

Here are The Recorder’s questions, and Burdick’s responses.

Why are you best qualified to represent the district in the State Assembly?

Burdick: I have served as the Assemblymember for the 93rd District since 2021, and I have learned a great deal during that time. I brought my experience as Bedford town supervisor to this job, and that knowledge has been incredibly useful in working with municipalities and helping constituents quickly and compassionately. 

Through my three terms as assemblymember, I’ve learned the ins and outs of getting my bills across the finish line and how to access funding for the nonprofits in my district that help the most vulnerable populations. I’m proud of the work that my staff and I have been doing and I hope that I can continue to represent the 93rd District. 

What are the top two issues facing the district in the coming year?

Burdick: Infrastructure needs, specifically road repaving, and affordability, specifically utility rates, are two of the most pressing issues. 

Year after year, I’ve advocated for more funds for our region with the Department of Transportation and the governor’s Transportation Team. Last year, funding finally increased significantly, and we are seeing more paving projects throughout the district. It’s still not enough. Each year, my staff drives every state road in my district so that we can give the DOT our updated priority list. We’ve made progress, but more needs to be done. 

On utility rates, my staff and I have served as parties, or “intervenors,” in two rate cases to advocate for affordability in the rate-setting process and to see it from the inside. I will continue to shine a spotlight on this flawed process and work with the legislature to improve it. 

Is there anything you can do, as a member of the Assembly, to encourage more maintenance and repaving of state roads in the district, without raising taxes?

Burdick: We are part of the DOT’s Region 8, which has the most lane miles and bridges of any region in NYS. We are directly outside of NYC, which leads to increased truck and commuter traffic going through our district. Our roads were not made to handle this. Region 8 is not getting its fair share of the funding. 

I have been advocating and fighting for our fair share, along with many of my Westchester colleagues. This is starting to shift, and we are seeing more paving projects in the district. This isn’t about increasing taxes; it’s about adjusting allocations so we get what we need.