Democrat Steve Otis coasted to an easy reelection Tuesday night over Republican challenger Katie Manger.
The race for the 91st state Assembly District was called with Otis declaring victory by a wide margin, 61 percent to 39 percent unofficially– in a matchup of Rye residents.
“I appreciate the strong support of the voters of the Sound Shore communities I serve and am excited to continue breaking new ground to win results for schools, local governments, and families and provide leadership on the statewide issues of importance where I have made a difference for Westchester,” said Otis, while stationed with his supporters at Anna Maria’s Wine Bar on Purchase Street.
A familiar face in Westchester politics for decades, Otis now will start his sixth term in the Assembly. And outside of a bruising primary challenge in 2020 against Democrat Meg Cameron of Rye, Otis, 67, has faced little resistance since winning the seat in 2012.
Manger marked the first challenge Republicans have mounted against him since that election in 2012.
Prior to joining the state Legislature, Otis served as chief of staff to state Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer from 1980 to 2012. He was also the mayor of Rye from 1998 to 2009.
Manger, a lawyer, is vice chairwoman of the Rye Republican Committee.
For Otis, flood mitigation remains at the top of his to-do list — a major issue for the municipalities that make up the district: Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and portions of New Rochelle.
Three years after Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on this area, Otis played a major role in enacting a 2015 state law that has provided municipalities with billions in state grants and loans for water-related projects.
As chairman of the assembly’s science and technology committee, he also is involved in leading legislative efforts on issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data and health record privacy, and advancing digital equity and inclusion programs.
Otis took home a salary of $142,000 in 2023, according to seethroughy.net.
Members of the state Assembly are elected to two-year terms.