RoseMarie Panio

RoseMarie Panio (born 1941) is an American politician that ran the Westchester County, New York Republican Committee from 2004 to 2007. She was unanimously elected Secretary for the State GOP in 2006, but has been unsuccessful in three attempts at public office, including a 2007 race for Town supervisor of her home town. Panio owns a liquor store in Peekskill, New York, and is a grandmother. After her resignation, it was announced that the Westchester Republican Committee's bank account held a negative balance.

Prior to her election, she served as Vice-Chairperson for nine years.

In 1997 she ran as a candidate for the Westchester County Board of Legislators, losing a close election to Democrat Michael Kaplowitz by only 39 votes. She lost a rematch in 1999 in another close election.

Panio was appointed to the NYS Watershed Protection and Partnership Council by Governor George Pataki, served on the White House Committee on Small Business, and also as Chairperson for the 19th Congressional District's Senior Task Force. She was quickly endorsed by the Town Committee which she chairs. She was vying to replace Republican Linda Cooper, who opted not to seek reelection after twelve years in office. For the general election Panio was endorsed by the Journal News, but was still defeated easily by Peters, as he and other Democrats swept many traditionally Republican northern Westchester races.

Electoral history

Panio also ran on the Conservative Party of New York ticket.