Edward A. Diana

Ed Diana

Ed Diana, April 2010, after throwing the first pitch at the dedication of the softball field named for his mother Mary B. Diana.
County Executive
Orange County, New York
In office
2001 – January 2014
Personal details
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Mary Diana
Children 2
Residence Goshen, New York
Occupation Educator

Edward A. Diana is an American Physical Education educator and former County Executive of Orange County, New York. Prior to being elected County Executive, he served for twelve years as County Legislator. He resides in Goshen, 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 employed for 30 years as an educator 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 1993 and 1998 to 2001. 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. Due to health issues, Diana announced he would not seek re-election in 2013. Diana is now succeeded by Steven Neuhaus.

Higher office aspirations

There had been speculation that Diana was 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 his 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]

For the 2010 election season, Diana expressed interest in pursuing the post of Lieutenant Governor of New York on Rick Lazio's ticket.[3] He has also expressed interest in running in the United States Senate special election in New York, 2010 against incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand.[4]

Electoral history

Orange County Executive, 2009 – General Election [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Diana (I) 35,806 62.0% Republican hold
Democratic Pat O'Dwyer 21,949 38.0%
Orange County Executive, 2005 – General Election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Diana (I) 40,082 61.9% Republican hold
Democratic Mike Edelstein 24,656 38.1%
Orange County Executive, 2001 – General Election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Diana 40,150 61.5%
Democratic Michael Sussman 25,147 39.5%

Notes

  1. ↑ Benjamin, Elizabeth. "Former Pataki Aide Mulls Congressional Bid". Daily News. November 26, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Confidential: It's official: Ed Diana rules out a run for Congress". Times Herald-Record. January 17, 2008.
  3. ↑ http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/knickerbocker/orange_county_exec_wants_to_be_lazio_wWj8OyV61RWmHPdmBoJA7I
  4. ↑ http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/22673/cox-yes-im-hearing-from-other-senate-hopefuls/
  5. ↑ http://www.recordonline.com/article/20091105/News/911039971
  6. ↑ Logan, Tim. "Ed Diana sweeps vote". Times Herald-Record. November 9, 2005.
  7. ↑ Doucette, John-Henry. "Diana easily defeats Sussman in county exec race". Times Herald-Record. November 7, 2001.

External links

Preceded by
Joseph Rampe		 County Executive
Orange County, New York
2001- 		Succeeded by
(active)
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