Port Chester is looking at a three-way race for mayor this year, with Bart Didden winning the Republican nomination tonight and John Branca winning a slim victory for the Conservative line. They face Democratic incumbent Dennis Pilla, who is running for a third term. The election is March 15.
Didden was the top vote-getter in the June election for six trustees, joining the village board for the first time. Branca is a former mayor and trustee who returned to the board in June.
Didden, who owns and alarm company, says his private sector experience helps him. “I feel I have been accessible and accountable for everything I’ve done as a trustee,” he said. He also gained the Independence Party nod.
A group of picketers showed up outside tonight’s caucus in Port Chester with reminders of Didden’s involvement in an anti-Pilla political flier in 2007. The flier targeted Latinos, and said “the Hispanics are running the show already.” That was used as evidence of racially based campaigning in Justice Department’’s successful voting rights lawsuit against the village, a case that forced a change to the trustee election system.
The picketers declined to be interviewed. Esau Rodriguez held a sign that said, “Bart does not represent you and me!” Others read: “We don’t want a racist for mayor” and “Port Chester deserves better than Bart.”
Didden said, “I understand how some people feel it was insensitive. I’ve come to regret my participation, but four years ago, I was a newcomer to running for office.” He said that as a trustee he was working on behalf of all residents.
The Conservative caucus resulted in a 20-19 vote for Branca over Didden. The party leadership has been divided between Trustee Sam Terenzi, the current Rye Town Conservative chair and a Didden supporter; and Gene Branca, the longtime chair and son of John Branca. Gene Branca said he was proud that the “true Conservatives” had spoken.
3 Comments
Mr. Didden’s racist remarks cannot be washed away with a shallow explanation of being a political novice. He’s a loose cannon. Not something the village needs in an age that requires political savviness. Didden’s “flier fiasco” was a hard slap at not only the Hispanic population but also villagers who have sought a kinder and gentler approach to issues that have been addressed during the last few years.
Bart Didden is a political molotov cocktail. He’s unprepared to handle the village’s leadership role.
Hello everyone I just want to comment something about this person Bart Didden where he said hi did his participation about racism about 4 years ago that’s not true first of all he is admmiting he haas a problem about racicm, then its not only 4 years ago that he has that feeling it has been all his life but only 4 years ago he really showed thruly his feelings and if portchester people elect this subjet as a Mayor of PortChester they are going to be sorry for many years for their mistake I personaly wouldn’t elect this person, because it is true many latinos live in portchester and if Mr. Didden gets elected as a mayor many latin people and bussines are going to close and move out of portchester. Thanks
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