Odell Challenges Leibell

Sen. Leibell looks forward to ‘respectful exchange of ideas’ with fellow Republican

Putnam Legislator Mary Ellen Odell, who represents constituents in District No. 5 shook the already volatile political scene Wednesday with an announcement that she intends to become Putnam’s next county executive, succeeding Robert J. Bondi, who held the post for 20 years.

The apparent heir to the throne for months has been a man touted as the county’s most popular and influential elected official—longtime State Senator Vincent Leibell—who was supposed to be a shoo-in at Thursday’s GOP Convention planned for Mahopac.

Now, with Odell’s announcement, the convention, planned for May 26 at the Italian-American Club, has taken on new intrigue. The committeemen and committeewomen from each of Putnam’s six towns will decide who will represent the Grand Old Party.

Odell said she was in the county executive’s race for the long haul, and would wage a primary battle against the senator should he receive the nomination at the convention. She is seeking the top office in county government because “people should have a choice. The next four years in our county are pivotal for its future.”

“It is wrong that one individual should control all three major parties in this county,” Odell said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon. “I am seeking the office of county executive, … because I cannot, and will not, stand by and allow the political machine in Putnam County to decide the future.”

“I will stop the influencing and the pandering that permeates our state, local, and ... county government,” she added.

Odell had been seeking the 99th Assembly District seat being vacated by Greg Ball, who is running for Leibell’s state senate seat. But two weeks ago, the Republicans endorsed former Southeast Town Judge James Borkowski in the Assembly race, and Odell declined to challenge him in a primary.

Borkowski, a candidate for sheriff last fall, was a new addition to the Assembly contest. In April, Borkowski announced that he would run for Leibell’s seat. Hours later, Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy, to the surprise of many, said she would join the race, as well. Having seemingly lost the support of the Republican power base, Borkowski then switched to the Assembly race and won the support of the GOP over Odell. A Working Families Party candidate last fall, he received the Conservative’s endorsement in the Assembly race on Monday.

Odell was already being challenged for her legislative seat by Carl Albano, and failed to garner third-party backing in that race on Monday when the Conservatives endorsed her challenger.

Odell, who serves as deputy chair of the legislature, is also chairwoman of the Legislature’s Protective Services Committee. She is most proud of her efforts in spearheading the Commission on Fiscal Vision and Accountability.

She was first elected in 2006 to the legislature and was reelected the following year for a full three-year term.

Putnam GOP Chairman Anthony Scannapieco called Odell a “good candidate who can do the job. ... The body politic at the convention will make the final decision, but personally I believe she is a great candidate.”

Contacted in Albany Wednesday, Leibell reacted: “It’s important for people who feel strongly about government to come forward and seek elective office. This is the time to do it. The position of county executive is extremely important. I look forward to an exchange of thoughts and ideas in a respectful manner.”

Ball said he is supporting Odell’s bid, and that the race for executive should be a “contest and not a coronation.” He added, “The state senator [Leibell] spent nearly 30 years in Albany raising taxes, expanding government, and using Putnam County, via his nonprofits and law firm, as his personal piggy bank, while controlling the local public infrastructure and media outlets.”

Sheriff Don Smith, reelected last fall, also supported Odell. “[She] has been an outstanding legislator and an outstanding chairman of the protective services committee of the legislature,” he said. “She would make an outstanding executive.”

“I think a choice is good. It keeps the potential individual candidate on his toes,” said Putnam legislator Anthony Fusco, who is not backing either candidate.

Putnam Legislature Chairman Vincent Tamagna reserved comment, but fellow Legislator Sam Oliverio, the only Democrat on the nine-member governing body, told the COURIeR that he felt “Legislator Odell has made a serious mistake. Senator Leibell is a formidable opponent who is sitting on a huge war chest. The senator has tons of experience. He knows this county better than most. I’m truly surprised that Mary Ellen is willing to give up her seat on the County Legislature. She has done an excellent job. I was hoping that she would pursue the Assembly line. ... I truly believe this is a bad move for her politically.”

But Odell maintains she is in it to win.

“The people of this county [should] have a choice between a candidate who has spent the last two decades in Albany, or a candidate who understands county government, thinks progressively, is not afraid to ask questions, and believes that government works best when the people’s voices are heard,” Odell said.

Leibell has already been endorsed by the Conservative Party for the county’s top post.

Visit the Courier website Friday for the coverage of Thursday’s GOP convention.