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 of Orange County
In office January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2013
Preceded by	Joseph Rampe
Succeeded by	Steven Neuhaus
Personal details
Born	Middletown, New York
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mary Diana
Children	2
Residence	Goshen, New York
Alma mater	Southern Connecticut State University (B.S.) Ithaca College (M.Ed.)
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

• Orange County Executive's Office