Klein, Biaggi make final pushes before polls close on primary day; problems reported with voter lists in Pelham

By Ben Glickman, Executive Editor|September 13, 2018

Klein, Biaggi make final pushes before polls close on primary day; problems reported with voter lists in Pelham

Pelham Examiner file photo

On Democratic primary day in the 34th District of New York, campaign signs decorate street corners around southern Westchester and the Bronx as State Sen. Jeff Klein and challenger Alessandra Biaggi await the results. Both candidates were making final pushes before polls close at 9 p.m.

The candidates last met on Aug. 29 during a NY1 News televised debate.

The Biaggi campaign was pushing an optimistic message on primary day. “We’re hoping that enthusiasm and participation will beat special interests’ money,” said David Neustadt, head of communications for the Biaggi campaign. “Alessandra and all her supporters have been out talking and getting the vote.”

In an email to supporters, Ben Nanna, campaign manager for the Biaggi, urged supporters to vote, remind friends to vote and to volunteer as a part of last ditch efforts.

The Klein campaign declined to comment on its final campaigning and sent out nothing via email.

During the campaign, Biaggi challenged Klein for not representing the interests of Democrats, highlighting the incumbent’s membership in the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), a group of Democrats in the New York State Senate who caucused with Republicans. The IDC was dissolved in April.

Klein, who has represented the 34th District since 2004, has highlighted the legislation he has passed and the resources he has delivered to the Bronx.

In Pelham, problems surfaced with voter registration as residents seeking to vote at Daronco Town House found they weren’t on the lists, according to posts on Facebook. In comments on the social network, residents reported voters not listed, of having to fill out affidavit ballots and call the attorney general’s election day hotline. Most of the comments were about problems in district five, though some said other districts were affected.

As of publication, there were no reports of issues with voter lists in Pelham Manor at the polling place in the firehouse.

Also on the ballot, Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces Cynthia Nixon and Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul is running against Jumaane Williams. A four-way race for attorney general includes Leecia Eve, New City Public Advocate Letitia James, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Zephyr Teachout.

Voters can access information about polling places at http://vote.nyc.ny.us/html/voters/where.shtml.