Edward A. Diana

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.

Ed Diana
Ed Diana, April 2010, after throwing the first pitch at the dedication of the Orange County Community College softball field named for his mother Mary B. Diana.
Town of Wallkill Supervisor
In office
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2019
Preceded byEric Valentin (Acting)
Succeeded byFrank DenDanto
County Executive of Orange County
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013
Preceded byJoseph Rampe
Succeeded bySteve Neuhaus
Personal details
Born (1948-10-23) October 23, 1948
Middletown, New York
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mary Diana
Children2
ResidenceGoshen, New York
Alma materSouthern Connecticut State University (B.S.)
Ithaca College (M.Ed.)
OccupationEducator

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 landslides in 2005 and again in 2009. Due to health issues, Diana announced he would not seek re-election in 2013. He was succeeded by Steve Neuhaus.

On November 7, 2017, he was elected Supervisor of the Town of Wallkill. On November 4, 2019, Diana was defeated by Democratic challenger Frank DenDanto.[1]

Higher office aspirations
See also: New York's 19th congressional district election, 2008; New York gubernatorial election, 2010; and United States Senate special election in New York, 2010

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.[2] In January 2008, Diana officially ruled out a run against Hall, stating he would prefer to seek a third term as County Executive.[3]

For the 2010 election season, Diana expressed interest in pursuing the post of Lieutenant Governor of New York on Rick Lazio's ticket.[4] He has also expressed interest in running in the United States Senate special election in New York, 2010 against incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand.[5]

Electoral history
Orange County Executive, 2009 – General Election [6]
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[7]
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[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Ed Diana 40,150 61.5%
Democratic Michael Sussman 25,147 39.5%

Notes
  1. "Summary Results - Election Night Reporting". ny.votereporting.com. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  2. Benjamin, Elizabeth. "Former Pataki Aide Mulls Congressional Bid Archived 2010-01-13 at the Wayback Machine". Daily News. November 26, 2007.
  3. "Confidential: It's official: Ed Diana rules out a run for Congress". Times Herald-Record. January 17, 2008.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2010-08-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/22673/cox-yes-im-hearing-from-other-senate-hopefuls/
  6. http://www.recordonline.com/article/20091105/News/911039971
  7. Logan, Tim. "Ed Diana sweeps vote". Times Herald-Record. November 9, 2005.
  8. Doucette, John-Henry. "Diana easily defeats Sussman in county exec race". Times Herald-Record. November 7, 2001.
Preceded by
Joseph Rampe		 County Executive of Orange County
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2013		 Succeeded by
Steve Neuhaus
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