CARMEL – Election Day is still three months away yet the temperature in the Putnam County Executive’s race has reached the boiling point.
Incumbent County Executive Republican Kevin Byrne, who ran unopposed for Putnam’s top elected position four years ago after serving in the New York State Assembly, is facing a formidable challenge from Democrat Brett Yarris who described himself as a special education teacher, entrepreneur, behavior scientist, business leader and community activist.
On Thursday, the Yarris’ campaign called on Byrne to return nearly $20,000 in campaign contributions accepted above New York’s legal limit, including a check Byrne routed to his own campaign from a political action committee he formed and still controls.
“We forced the facts out into the sunshine,” said Yarris, adding: “We still don’t know if we’re seeing the full picture. What we do know is that my opponent accepted contributions well over New York’s legal limit.”
The contribution limit for a countywide office in the election is $3,639.80, as set by the Putnam County Board of Elections. Yarris charged that 11 of Byrne’s contributors surpassed the amount, adding up to a combined $19,828.56 which Yarris said, “Kevin Byrne cannot legally keep.”
Yarris noted the “most telling contribution of $4,150 was disclosed only in the latest third amendment to his filing, which came from his own Taxpayer Action Network, a PAC that he started and remains under his control.”
Yarris called on Byrne to “give back all of the over-the-limit contributions. He should do the right thing.”
Joey Nickischer, spokesman for , called Yarris’ accusations “baseless and demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of New York campaign finance law. Perhaps he should spend less time writing press releases and more time learning the law before making reckless allegations.”
Nickischer said New York law clearly allows candidates to raise contributions at the primary election limits while preparing for a potential primary election, regardless of whether a primary ultimately takes place.
“That’s exactly what the Byrne campaign did, and our filings were on time and fully comply with New York State Board of Elections requirements,” said the Byrne spokesman.
Nickischer went on: “Unlike Brett, Kevin filed with the State Board of Elections in January. Yarris hid and chose not to, while quietly carrying over money from his failed legislative campaign last year. By contrast, Kevin Byrne’s campaign is powered by a broad coalition of support from taxpayers, business leaders, police, first responders, labor organizations—including unions representing Putnam County employees—and thousands of residents who have seen firsthand his record of cutting taxes, reducing county debt by more than half, strengthening public safety, and delivering results.”
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