After weeks of speculations, freshman Assemblyman Steve Katz (R, I -Yorktown) will announce on Monday his candidacy for New York State Senate.
His staff sent out an advisory Friday evening confirming he will be challenging Sen. Greg Ball (R, C- Patterson) to a primary for the 40th district seat.
Katz, a veterinarian who lives in Mohegan Lake with his family, made his first run for political office two years ago as a Tea Party candidate. He , which was vacated by Greg Ball, who ran for state Senate. The two lawmakers have been frequently campaigning and holding press conferences together until a recent fall out.
Earlier this week, Ball's campaign manager Jim Coleman released a statement saying that "no one has done more to help Katz, both campaign wise and legislatively, than Greg Ball. He said Ball would win "resoundingly" in the primary because of his "work ethic, track record and solid conservative voting record."
Coleman called Katz "Dr. Do Liberal" and commented on his attendance record in the Assembly, calling it the "worst" and saying he had "an alarming D+ rating for his liberal voting record."
"Since his close election, this man has consistently proven he cannot be trusted, switching votes and alliances, and within a short period for personal gain," Coleman said in his statement. "Dr. Do Liberal has been co opted by many of the old school forces in Putnam that like things the way they used to be, corrupt and quiet. Furthermore, Dr Do-Liberal orchestrated cover up of a double arrest record, and other civil and criminal issues, including tax liens, sexual harassment settlements and beyond, make him too damaged as a general election candidate."
Assemblyman Steve Katz recently admitted in a YouTube video that he had two past arrests related to his veterinary business. He has said he was cleared of all charges in both cases.
"This seat is critical to the slim republican majority, and Greg Ball looks forward to a strong conservative, grassroots campaign to win both the primary and general elections," Coleman said in his statement.
Katz will make the official announcement on Monday, March 12 at 9 a.m. on the steps of the Historic Carmel Courthouse in Putnam County, located at 44 Gleneida Avenue.
