Committee Splits Katz Complaints Against Gristina

LARCHMONT, N.Y. – Findings on complaints of unfair campaign statements filed by  Assembly member Steve Katz (R–Yorktown) against his Republican primary opponent, Dario Gristina (R–Putnam Valley), were split Tuesday by Westchester County Fair Campaign Practices Committee in the race for the newly-redrawn 94th District.

The complaints stemmed from mailers sent out on behalf of Gristina that Katz believed attacked his voting record, attendance and qualifications. Of the five complaints, two were deemed unfair, two were deemed fair, and one resulted in no finding.

The mailers deemed unfair claimed that Katz has “the worst attendance and voting record in the legislature” and that “Katz has a D+ voting record.” The committee said Gristina did not have enough data to support the claims.

Another mailer that included the phrase “the personal attacks and rumor mills have begun” was deemed fair by the committee, citing an article from the New York Daily News in which Katz referred to Gristina’s “criminal past.” Gristina told the committee that he had not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal violation

A statement that referred to Katz as a “Rino (Republican in Name Only)” was deemed fair as it falls “within the realm of normal political discourse.”

The two candidates will face off on the ballot in New York's Sept. 13 primary election.The 94th District covers Yorktown, Somers, Putnam Valley, Carmel, Southeast and Patterson.

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