BREAKING: Joe Rand Wins State Senate Race in 38th District

Rockland Daily Staff

Democratic candidate and Nyack Mayor Joe Rand has won the race for New York's 38th State Senate District, defeating Republican incumbent Bill Weber in one of Rockland County's most closely watched, and contested elections and flipping the Senate seat back to Democratic control.

Rand's victory follows a highly competitive campaign that drew significant attention across Rockland County, particularly in the Monsey community, where a broad coalition of Rabbanim, askanim, mosdos leaders, and elected officials united behind his candidacy. In the final days before the election, leaders associated with mosdos serving approximately 35,000 children across Rockland County issued a joint endorsement urging residents to support Rand

A central argument made by Rand's supporters throughout the campaign was the advantage of having a State Senator serving in the Democratic majority in Albany. With Democrats controlling the State Senate with an overwhelming majority, supporters argued that Rand would be better positioned to secure the proper state funding for Rockland County's growing communities, mosdos, infrastructure projects, and other local needs. They pointed to the challenges of having a Republican senator in a chamber controlled by Democrats, arguing that the district would benefit from stronger access to the majority's leadership and resources.

Rand, who has served as Mayor of the Village of Nyack since 2024, entered the race with a strong record of securing government funding and advancing local projects in his village. During his tenure, among the many fundings, the Village of Nyack secured a $4.5 million New York Forward grant, along with additional state, federal, and county funding for village improvements and revitalization efforts.

His campaign focused on affordability, infrastructure, public safety, and bringing additional government resources to Rockland County. Rand also received endorsements from numerous local officials, including Assemblyman Aron Wieder, Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht, and several members of the Rockland County Legislature.

Weber, who first won the seat in 2022 and was reelected in 2024, had maintained strong relationships with many residents and community leaders throughout the district. However, Rand's campaign built significant support around the argument that Rockland County needed representation within the Senate majority to more effectively address its funding and infrastructure needs.

Rand will begin his first term in the New York State Senate in January 2027, representing the 38th District, which covers much of Rockland County, as Democrats maintain their majority in the chamber.