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Tripodi, who is the sole Republican on the Town of Ossining Board, has served the town since 2009, when he became the youngest elected official in the county. While he ran for and lost the election against Susanne Donnelly for Ossining Town Supervisor, Tripodi said he’s hoping his run against former Ossining Town Supervisor and Democrat Catherine Borgia will turn out much differently.
“I think the kind of representation that works across the aisle that I have had on the town board is not there in the county and that was a big factor in my decision to run,” Tripodi said. “Since I’m up for election this year it was a choice between running again for the town or running in the county. It was a tough decision but I feel that in our district, we’re not getting the representation we’re entitled to as constituents.”
Tripodi said he was heavily influenced when he saw that Borgia did not offer any vote for the county’s budget.
“With that budget vote I would’ve stayed and voted,” Tripodi said. “I think that’s the job of a legislator and it wasn’t done for our district.”
Tripodi also cited his work with the Ossining Town Board as proof of his ability to “reach across the aisle” and come to agreements on issues with different parties.
“I look at the fact that I was on the town board and was able to sit down with my colleagues who outnumber me four to one and we were actually able to agree on major issues for the town,” Tripodi said. “It’s not a special ability, I think everyone has the ability to work with someone else if they’re willing to do so, but we’re not seeing that at the county. I think we need less politicking and more compromise.”
Tripodi intends to announce his candidacy officially at 11 a.m. Saturday in the former Town of Ossining facility, 507 North St. Road, Briarcliff Manor. He will remain on the council until December and said he intends to fulfill his role to the best of his ability, according to a press release.
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