On Monday evening, Aron Wieder was officially sworn in as a New York State Assemblyman at Rockland Community College. The event was attended by many elected officials, dignitaries, community leaders, family members, and local residents. Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh administered the oath of office.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James commended Wieder’s efforts to combat discrimination. Wieder’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, was present.
Wieder began his public office journey in 2008 on the East Ramapo school board. As a Rockland County legislator, he became known for his fiscal responsibility and community focus. In particular, Wieder has been known for his efforts to reduce property taxes and the general burden on taxpaying citizens, while working to ensure vital services for the same.
Among other policies, he championed the introduction of a full-day kindergarten program and raised private funds to support the East Ramapo Marching Band.
Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, Wieder raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical supplies for those suffering from its aftermath, as well as organizing nurses' missions to provide further assistance to Haitians.
Wieder easily won the Democratic nomination for Assemblyman in District 97, besting Eudson Francois by 4,186 votes to 1,868 votes. His general race was closer, beating Republican incumbent John W. McGowan by 23,906 votes to 20,458, with Conservative Party candidate winning 1,565 votes.
Wieder ran an unconventional but ultimately successful campaign based on a focus on absentee voting and Haredi voters, and working based on personal and communal connections rather than the more common approach of campaigners simply knocking on doors of strangers.
In his speech, Wieder expressed gratitude and pledged to address economic challenges, rising crime, and infrastructure needs in the 97th Assembly District. He took the oath on a Chumash that survived the Holocaust, symbolizing resilience.
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