Meet The Candidate: Keegan For New York Assembly District 94

HUDSON VALLEY, NY - New Yorkers will choose their representatives to Albany in the 2020 general election.

In anticipation of the election, Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Stephanie Keegan is seeking to unseat Assemblyman Kevin Byrne in District 94. The district includes eastern and central Putnam County plus Yorktown and Somers in Westchester.

Keegan, 61, is a veterans' advocate. She grew up in Ardsley and attended Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Connecticut.

Campaign website: https://keeganfornewyork.com

Check out Patch's full Q&A with Stephanie Keegan:

Why are you seeking elective office?

After losing my veteran son in 2016, I became a veterans’ advocate, spending two weeks a month in Washington. My work on the 2019 NDAA added a standard requiring that command offices of outgoing military personnel with known medical and/or mental health issues immediately connect them with the VA for evaluation and treatment, so none of our service members would return home without knowing if they’ll get the care they need. I’m proud that I was able to use my experience to help other families across the nation, and now I’m ready to go to work helping my neighbors. I truly care about the issues that impact the lives and the livelihoods of those in our community. The people of the 94th deserve sensible representation, from someone who can fight for them to get resources from Albany.

The single most pressing issue facing our nation/state/community is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The challenges we are facing with COVID-19 have made plain several key issues facing New Yorkers: we need quality, affordable health insurance for everyone, we need to find ways to help the people who are out of work and can’t pay their bills, and we need to have the fiscal discipline to pull this off in the midst of a huge budget shortfall. In addition, we need to maintain our progress towards a cleaner energy infrastructure and a healthy environment, and towards equal justice for all, bring back good paying jobs, and improve our schools, all while holding the line on property taxes. I believe in voting for common sense solutions, not to uphold an ideology. It won’t be easy. But I’m ready to get to work.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I’m focused on common sense solutions not hidebound by ideology. I’m not looking to use this as a springboard to higher office. In addition to my work life, I’m a 61 year old wife and mom so I’d say our life-experiences differ quite a bit.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the district?

He's out of step with the needs and values of the people of this district. He voted no on pandemic aid to keep people in their homes and keep the heat on. He voted no on establishing patient protections from emergency care charges and no on reduced payment costs for elderly and low-income patients of both Medicare and Medicaid to $0. He voted no on the formation of a Law Enforcement misconduct office and no on disclosure of law enforcement disciplinary records. He voted no to prohibit firearms on school campuses, and no on amending background check regulations.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Helping small businesses thrive in our communities and encouraging women and people of color to open their own businesses. A strong stance on environmental issues; climate change and bringing in good paying green jobs. Making sure our schools have the resources they need so our kids can reach their fullest potential. Holding the line on taxes and restoring SALT deductions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Prior to announcing my candidacy I worked for four years as a veterans advocate. I traveled to Washington, DC for two weeks out of every month, on my own dime, to advocate for veteran friendly legislation. I am proud to have worked with many members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives creating laws that will go a long way toward improving the lives of those who have served.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Trust but verify. After finding myself in the unfortunate position of having trusted some folks that I shouldn’t have, a very wise person in my life suggested that I continue to be optimistic and to trust, but that in order to be able to do my best work I should verify things before responding to them. This advice has gone a long way in keeping me from erring because of assuming what I’d heard or read was fact.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My license plate says HELPER and I mean it. I’m here to help the people of the 94th.