Last week, the state Democratic party held their convention in Rye Brook. This week state Republicans are doing the same in Manhattan.

While the buzz around New York is about the coveted governor's race (Andrew Cuomo sealed the deal for the Democrats while four are hoping to clinch the Republican nomination), the local races for Senate and Assembly representatives for Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have firmed up.

For the Republicans, Thomas Bock will run for the 92nd Assembly District which includes the Towns of Greenburgh and Mount Pleasant, and the Villages of Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, a portion of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, and part of the City of Yonkers. Bock ran a failed attempt to capture a seat in the county legislature's 8th District last year – that seat is currently being held by Alfreda Williams.

Bock, was a chief of the Elmsford Fire department and oversaw computer networks for major companies in his professional capacity. He is taking a considerable step up vying for a state seat that is being held by Richard Brodsky, but said he is just the man for the job.

"I am a realist," Bock said in a statement. "I understand the stranglehold that the Democrats and (Majority Speaker) Shelley Silver have on Albany. It's time for a substantive change."

Brodsky, who first won a State Assembly position in 1983, will not be running for reelection. Brodsky has decided to throw his hat into the race for State Attorney General (for the second time) – a position that is being sought by four other Democratic Party members. Instead, Tom Abinanti, a county legislator from the 12th District will run for the position being vacated by Brodsky.

Abinanti, a Greenburgh resident, has already set up a website for his campaign which states that he "brings extensive experience in the legislative process, a real understanding of our community and a deep concern for our quality of life."

In the State Senate District 35, Republican Liam McLaughlin will be stepping up to challenge incumbent Andrea Stewart Cousin. McLaughlin is a former minority leader for the Yonkers City Council. His decision to run was speculated in April and confirmed at a Westchester Republican Convention in White Plains last week.

Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who makes frequent visits to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, will run again for her seat a spokesperson from her office confirmed, although no official release has come from her campaign organizers. Stewart-Cousins first secured her senate seat in 2006. She is a resident of Yonkers.