By JEFF MORRIS
The Bedford Democratic Committee got a jump on the 2025 election cycle by endorsing a slate of candidates at its January meeting.
However, there might not actually be an advantage to an early start, as it appears those candidates will be running unopposed.
In his announcement of the Democratic slate, BDC acting chair Michael Minard stated it was “reaffirming its commitment to experienced leadership and community-driven governance.”
Endorsed were Ellen Calves for town supervisor, Stephanie McCaine and Midge Iorio for town board, Jodi Kimmel for town justice, and Allie Whalen for town clerk. All but one of the endorsed candidates are incumbents.
When The Recorder reached out to the Bedford Republican Committee to see if they had also announced a slate of candidates, the response was not a list of names. Instead, Bedford GOP chair Michael Palladino sent a statement.
“In Bedford, Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly three to one,” he said. “Locally, every elected position (all eight of them), is held by a Democrat. This unchecked one-party rule stifles debate, weakens accountability, and shuts out diverse perspectives.”
However, Palladino did not offer an alternative. Instead, he went on, “As long as voters prioritize party labels over qualifications and real solutions — nominating a full Republican slate remains an exercise in futility. But that won›t stop us. Even without candidates on the ballot, our committee will continue to challenge bad policies, demand transparency, and hold local leaders accountable — because time and again, their leadership falls short.”
Palladino concluded, “Bedford deserves better, and we won’t stop fighting for it.”
He did not elaborate on what that would entail. Palladino was himself an unsuccessful candidate for town board in 2022 and 2023.
In its announcement, BDC noted Calves has served in the role since 2022.
“Under her leadership, the town has maintained its AAA bond rating, kept the budget under the tax cap, and secured grants for downtown improvements in Bedford Hills,” said the announcement. “Her priorities continue to be affordability, housing, resiliency, and sustainability.”
McCaine, said the BDC, is a lifelong Katonah resident, and is committed to sound policy and effective governance. “McCaine has served as a liaison to the Bedford Police Department and the Recreation and Parks Department, ensuring that decisions are data-informed to serve the best interests of all residents,” the announcement said.
One new name
The only non-incumbent endorsed by the Democrats is Iorio, a longtime community advocate through roles at Bedford 2030, which BDC noted she has led for the past 13 years, the Katonah Chamber of Commerce, Katonah Village Improvement Society and the Katonah Elementary School PTO. She was endorsed to fill the town board seat being vacated by Andrés Castillo, who has chosen not to seek reelection.
The committee also endorsed Kimmel for another term as town justice, saying she was known for her dedication to family justice. It said Kimmel has actively contributed to Westchester’s Domestic Violence Council and New York’s Cyber Abuse Task Force, “demonstrating a firm commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals in the community.”
Finally, Whalen was endorsed to run in November for a full term as town clerk. She was appointed to fill the position in April 2024 after Lisbeth Fumigalli stepped down, and was elected to fill the remainder of that term last November. The BDC said since stepping into the role, Whalen has modernized the town clerk’s office, streamlining processes with expanded online form submissions and establishing a social media presence to enhance communication with residents.
Besides these town positions, the Democrats also endorsed District 2 County Legislator Erika Pierce, now in her second term, for reelection. Palladino did not mention whether the Bedford Republicans would endorse anyone not exclusively a town candidate. There has been no word from the county GOP about a legislator candidate in District 2.