HAVERSTRAW, NY — Republican Bill Weber and Democrat Joe Rand are highlighting support from elected officials and residents alike, in their race for New York State Senate District 38, with Weber publishing an endorsement roster spanning several levels of government and Rand announcing backing from three Haverstraw-area leaders.
Weber’s campaign website lists Congressman Mike Lawler, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Deputy County Executive Mike Hoblin among his supporters. County legislators Doug Jobson, Tom Diviny, Will Kennelly, Lon Hofstein and Ray Sheridan also appear on the list, available on his campaign website.
Rand, the mayor of Nyack, announced endorsements from Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard Phillips, Village of Haverstraw Mayor Michael Kohut and Village of West Haverstraw Mayor Robert D’Amelio.
In a separate announcement, Rand’s campaign said he raised $33,705 during July–September, compared with Weber’s $20,028, a difference of $13,677, or approximately 68%.
According to that campaign’s breakdown, Rand collected $20,355 from individual donors, compared with Weber’s $6,028, and reported 122 individual contributors to Weber’s 12.
Among Rockland County contributors, the campaign reported $17,375 for Rand and $5,778 for Weber—approximately three times as much. It listed 101 local donors for Rand and 11 for Weber.
Endorsements for Both Candidates
In statements distributed by Rand’s campaign, the three officials cited his municipal experience, approach to community funding and focus on household costs.
“Joe Rand has shown what he is able to accomplish as Mayor of Nyack, and I am confident that he is the right candidate to deliver for Haverstraw in Albany,” Phillips said.
Kohut pointed to their work on parks, arts access and road improvements, saying that experience would help Rand work with Rockland’s mayors to secure state funding.
D’Amelio cited childcare funding and Rand’s opposition to new data centers that, he argued, would increase utility rates.
Rand thanked the officials and said he looked forward to working with them to bring state funding to Haverstraw.
“Joe Rand has already proven that he’s not afraid to take on the big fights to lower costs for Rockland residents,” D’Amelio said.
“I’m just so grateful for the outpouring of support throughout this campaign, and especially this last quarter,” Rand said as part of his press release.
At the town level, Weber lists endorsements from Orangetown Supervisor Teresa Kenny, Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann and Stony Point Supervisor Amy Stamm. Village officials listed as supporting Weber include Chestnut Ridge Mayor Sam Presti, New Hempstead Mayor Abe Sicker and Sloatsburg Mayor Darrell Frazier. Additional supporters include officials from Montebello and Wesley Hills, as well as East Ramapo school board member Effie Weissmandl.
The Rand campaign also reported cumulative individual contributions of $167,666 for Rand and $125,165 for Weber. Its campaign-to-date figures listed $125,914 in Rockland contributions for Rand and $59,843 for Weber, with 554 local contributors for Rand and 277 for Weber—twice as many.
The fundraising comparisons were provided by Rand’s campaign and were not independently verified against the underlying filings for this report. The figures do not establish either campaign’s cash on hand, outstanding obligations or total spending. The endorsements were gathered from both Weber and Rand press releases, and/or visits to their campaign websites.