3 days ago
Mike Parietti gains 3,000+ signatures to run for Rockland County executive in November
NEW CITY - Rockland voters will likely get a competitive election for county executive on Nov. 4.
Michael Parietti of Ramapo said in a Facebook post that he has filed more than 3,000 signatures on a petition to gain a ballot spot as an independent candidate against County Executive Ed Day, who is running for a fourth, four-year term.
His line is called "Good Gov," according to the Rockland Board of Elections, confirming Parietti filed his petitions on May 27.
The minimum number of signatures is 1,500. Unless Day's campaign offers reasons to knock off more than half of Parietti's signatures, the Ramapo resident will make the ballot.
The Democratic Party line will be blank since no candidate collected the minimum number of signatures.
Parietti said he's giving thousands of Rockland voters a choice. His agenda can be found on his campaign website.
"If not for my candidacy, Day would face no opponent, and the voters would hear no debate on the many pressing issues we face in this pivotal election for the future of Rockland County," Parietti said.
Time will tell if Parietti's petitions withstand scrutiny, Day said on Friday, June 6. Petitions can be challenged before the Rockland Board of Elections on whether election laws have been met. Board of Elections Commissioner Patricia Giblin said two people have filed objections to Parietti's petitions.
"Each and every candidate for elective office submits petitions to the Board of Elections to satisfy numerical and legal requirements," Day said. "Ours has passed muster. If and when Mr. Parietti can say the same thing, we will have further comment."
Day has said he will crisscross the county and spread the word on his record after nearly 12 years in office, specifically his fiscal record and rebuilding the county infrastructure.
Day said his record includes working with the Legislature to dig the county out of a $138 million deficit hole when he took office in January 2014.
A retired NYPD commander and a former Clarkstown civic leader, Day served on the Legislature before winning the county executive office in November 2013.
He won the election overwhelmingly in his last two campaigns, getting 73% of the vote four years ago. He has the GOP and Conservative Party lines in November.
"It's not just what we have done, it's where we have to go," Day has said. "Fiscal issues are continuous. Every day is a challenge."
Parietti, a West Point Military Academy graduate, noted that Day broke his promise of serving two terms.
Parietti has run unsuccessfully for elected offices over the years, including Ramapo supervisor in 2013 and 2015, Ramapo Town Board in 2007, Legislature in 2011 and 2019, and Congress in 2020.
A Preserve Ramapo leader, Parietti has voiced opposition to the influence the predominantly Ramapo Hasidic bloc's vote has on elected officials.
He challenged the Legislature's redistricting plan in court, arguing the plan signed by Day gave the Hasidic community too much power and influence on the governing body at the expense of non-Hasidic residents, including people of color. A state Appellate Division panel rejected Parietti's arguments in 2023.
His website says he's not running to build a political career but to rebuild trust in local government.
"This may be our last best chance to hold a public referendum on Rockland's future," Parietti said. "I believe we can't afford to let this opportunity pass us by."
Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@ Twitter: @lohudlegal Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mike Parietti gears up for independent Rockland County executive bid
