Republican Sergio Esposito Runs For State Senate

Sergio Esposito, Yorktown's deputy supervisor, is campaigning to unseat Democratic Sen. Pete Harckham, according to The Examiner News. Esposito describes himself as a moderate Republican, contrasting with critics' characterizations of his views.

Esposito, an Italian immigrant, recently spoke at a Columbus Day commemoration in Carmel. He reflected on the holiday, noting its origins in recognizing Italian-Americans after a lynching in New Orleans in 1891.

The candidate emphasized the need to learn from the past and treat each other as people. He also cited a heated conversation where his party affiliation led to assumptions about his views, which he called 'stupidity' and 'nonsense'.

Esposito's perspective on immigration is informed by his personal experience. He advocates for tight borders and deportation of those in the US illegally but also supports a legal path to citizenship.

Although immigration is not typically a key issue in state Senate races, Esposito has highlighted the national debate in his campaign. He has been endorsed by Yorktown Heights residents Tom and Jessica Gorman, who lost their daughter to an undocumented immigrant.

Esposito has also emphasized that he does not distinguish between lawbreakers, regardless of immigration status. He believes that criminals should face consequences, whether they are immigrants or citizens.

The 40th Senate District, which Esposito is running in, spans Putnam and Rockland counties and northern Westchester. The district has been competitive in recent elections, with Harckham narrowly defeating a Republican incumbent in 2018.