Robert Brum

rbrum@lohud.com

With the New York primary two weeks away, at least one of the three remaining Republican candidates has made Rockland County part of his campaign strategy.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who trails New York billionaire Donald J. Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, will open headquarters in Bardonia this week, although the specific timing hasn't been announced.

Kasich is also scheduled to attend the Rockland Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day Victory Ball on Saturday at the Hilton Pearl River.

Rockland GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey said Kasich’s campaign believed he could do well here and viewed the Hudson Valley as up for grabs in the April 19 primary.

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, former executive director of the Rockland Independent Living Center, has endorsed Kasich, in part, he says, because of his efforts to assist the disabled.

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One Republican who won’t be supporting Kasich in the primary is Garvey himself, who has endorsed Trump, the GOP front-runner.

“I like a lot of what Trump says,” Garvey said. “He’s a New Yorker. … I think he’s clearly bombastic, he’s clearly controversial. When the primary process starts to wind down I think you’ll see him be a little less bombastic.

“I believe it’s time for us to coalesce around one candidate and not get to the convention and have a free for all.” Garvey, a White Plains lawyer, said the party should get behind the New York billionaire and avoid a meltdown at the GOP convention in Cleveland.

The controversial businessman also has found support among the Latino National Republican Coalition of Rockland County. Spokesman Joe Ciardullo said Trump could prevail against the Democratic nominee in November.

Garvey said he'll be at the GOP convention, although he wasn't sure if he'll be a delegate or an alternate.

The contest is attracting plenty of interest among Rockland's nearly 43,000 registered Republicans.

“People that I speak to are much more engaged,” Garvey said Monday. “I usually get one or two calls a week on the GOP HQ answering service. I’m now getting five to 10 a day. Questions mostly about the primary.”

Twitter: @Bee_bob