Edward A. Diana

Infobox_Politician
name = Ed Diana

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residence = Middletown, New York
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office = County Executive
Orange County, New York
salary =
term_start = 2001
term_end = incumbent
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party = Republican
religion =
occupation = Educator
majority =
spouse = Mary Diana
children = 2
website =
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Edward A. Diana is an American educator, now serving as the County Executive of Orange County, New York. Prior to being elected County Executive, he served for twelve years as County Legislator. He resides in Middletown, New York.

Political career and background

Diana was born in Middletown, New York and attended the local schools. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a Masters of Education from Ithaca College.Diana was born in Middletown, New York and attended the local schools. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Connecticut State University and a Masters of Education from Ithaca College.

Diana was employed for 30 years as a gym teacher and athletic instructor in the Minisink Valley School District. He was first elected in 1979 to the Wallkill Town Board and served their as a councilman and deputy supervisor until 1985. He was elected as a county legislator for the 18th district (parts of Middletown, Wallkill and Goshen) from 1986 to 1993and 1998 to 2001. During the 1993 election, Diana was handilly ousted by Democratic rival, and former Elliot Spitzer top aid Richard Baum of Middletown, NY. Diana held the position of majority leader for six years. Diana also owned and operated the downtown Middletown restaurant "Diana’s" which was started by grandparents in 1936.

Diana was elected in 2001 by a wide margin to become the fifth County Executive of Orange County, replacing Joseph Rampe of Warwick who was retiring. He was reelected in a landslide in 2005. A landslide considering candidate Edelstein is a liberal, environmental extremest.

2008 congressional runSee also: New York's 19th congressional district election, 2008 There has been speculation that Diana is being recruited by the National Republican Congressional Committee for a run against freshman incumbent John Hall in New York's 19th congressional district. Representing the second largest county in the district, Diana would have strong name recognition in the area which gave Hall is narrow victory in 2006. [1] In January 2008, Diana officially ruled out a run against Hall, stating he would prefer to seek a third term as County Executive. [2]

Diana, his way or NO way!Diana is currently involved in various contentious debates with all of the unions representing over 2,600 employees of Orange County. The largest, the Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA) has vehemently rejected Diana's attempts to lower their pay, while giving himself over a $61,000 raise since taking office. Inflation, food and energy costs have increased exponentially during the last two years, and these employees, most barely making a legal wage have not seen a raise. [3]

Diana has also been strongly criticised for his use of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, even amidst gasoline prices which have seen upward of $4.50 in this region.

Diana's tenure as County Executive has been deemed the worst since the start of the County Executive system in the 1970s.

2008 congressional run

There has been speculation that Diana is being recruited by the National Republican Congressional Committee for a run against freshman incumbent John Hall in New York's 19th congressional district. Representing the second largest county in the district, Diana would have strong name recognition in the area which gave Hall is narrow victory in 2006. [Benjamin, Elizabeth. " [http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2007/11/former-pataki-aide-mulls-congr.html Former Pataki Aide Mulls Congressional Bid] ". "Daily News". November 26, 2007.] In January 2008, Diana officially ruled out a run against Hall, stating he would prefer to seek a third term as County Executive. [" [http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/NEWS/801170318 Confidential: It's official: Ed Diana rules out a run for Congress] ". "Times Herald-Record". January 17, 2008.]

Electoral history

Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (US)
candidate = Ed Diana (I)
votes = 40,082
percentage = 62.0%
change = Republican holdElection box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Mike Edelstein
votes = 24,656
percentage = 38.0%
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Republican Party (US)
candidate = Ed Diana
votes = 40,150
percentage = 61.5%
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Michael Sussman
votes = 25,147
percentage = 39.5%
change =

Notes

External links

* [http://www.co.orange.ny.us/orgMain.asp?storyID=424&sid= Orange County Executive's Office]

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