(Clarkstown, NY) – The Clarkstown Democratic Committee welcomed candidates for State Legislature and Congress District 17 during a Democratic Candidate Forum, moderated by Pete Dominick, on Thursday, December 11 at the Clarkstown Town Hall.
The Clarkstown Democratic Committee welcomed Nyack Mayor Joe Rand, who announced his campaign for New York State Senate District 38; Assemblyman Patrick Carroll, running for re-election for New York State Assembly District 96; and two candidates for New York’s 17th Congressional District: former Briarcliff Manor Mayor Peter Chatzky and United States Air Force Veteran John Cappello.
Effie Phillips-Staley, the third candidate for NY17 that was invited to participate in the forum, cancelled the night before the forum in order to attend a fundraiser in Westchester County.
This is the second forum the Clarkstown Democratic Committee hosted in 2025. The first forum, held on October 15, welcomed four NY17 candidates: Cait Conley, Beth Davidson, Michael Sacks, and John Sullivan. Due to the number of candidates in the NY17 democratic primary, the Clarkstown Democratic Committee split the candidates between two forums based on their fundraising during the second quarter of 2025, not including personal contributions and loans.
The forum, which was live streamed, can be watched on the Clarkstown Democratic Committee YouTube channel here.
David Bruen, Co-Chair of the Clarkstown Democratic Committee, said, “Here in Rockland, we are fortunate to have Democratic candidates running to represent us and fight for us in the halls of Congress, State Senate, and State Assembly. With the recent announcement by Nyack Mayor Joe Rand, and the re-election campaign of Assemblyman Pat Carroll, Rockland residents can have renewed hope that we have candidates who will put Rockland first. We need candidates who are steadfast in their commitment to addressing affordability, housing, healthcare, public safety, and all the issues we care deeply about.”
“The Clarkstown Democratic Committee is particularly pleased to welcome Joe Rand for his first major campaign appearance. Thank you to the candidates – Joe Rand, Pat Carroll, Pete Chatky, and John Cappello – for coming out to tell residents who they are and to answer questions.”
The Clarkstown Democratic Committee will be hosting another forum, closer to the NY17 primary, featuring all the democratic congressional candidates.
Courtesy photos of the event can be found here.
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