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Eastchester Residents Encouraged By Rare Contest For Town Supervisor

EASTCHESTER, N.Y. – For the first time in nearly a decade, the Eastchester town supervisor’s race is being contested, with Democrat Michael Denning challenging incumbent Republican Anthony Colavita.

Democrat Michael Denning, left, is challenging incumbent Republican Anthony Colavita for Eastchester town supervisor.

Democrat Michael Denning, left, is challenging incumbent Republican Anthony Colavita for Eastchester town supervisor.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

Colavita has run unopposed in each of his five terms. This year, Denning, a retired Eastchester police officer, entered the race after garnering a surprising amount of community support.

“[Colavita] has been great for our town, but he’s been in office for such a long time. Maybe it’s time to get some fresh blood on the town board,” resident Gene Marks said near Town Hall on Tuesday. “We should at least consider each of the candidates and look at who will be best for the town.”

Denning has a tough challenge in running against the longtime town supervisor. According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, there are 8,167 registered Republicans in Eastchester against just 6,732 Democrats. The entire Eastchester Town Board currently comprises only of Republicans.

“I think that any candidate is going to be hard pressed going up against the Republicans in this town,” Sue Jones, 58, said. “We’ve been run by Republicans for years, doesn’t seem likely to me.”

Denning received the nomination from the Democratic Party in June, though they couldn’t find any candidates to oppose Republican Council Members Fred Salanitro and Luigi Marcoccia.

Randle Polk, a longtime resident, said that he would be surprised if Denning could pull the upset, but added he would consider voting for whomever will represent the town best.

“Eastchester is about as right-winged as you get in this area, but we can’t get wrapped up in party this or party that; that’s what’s going wrong in Washington,” he said. “We need to listen to what each of them has to say and make the right choice for all of us.”

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