Nyack, June 4 — Nyack’s Democratic Committee met to select candidates for mayor, trustee and village justice on Tuesday. In a close vote, Democrats tapped Jen Laird-White for mayor over current Mayor Richard Kavesh. Rob Knoebel  and Doug Foster were the unanimous selections for Village Justice and  Village Trustee.

White was endorsed by a 10 to 8 vote with two abstentions. Twenty votes were cast by the 26 Democratic Committee members — 14 from meeting attendees and six by proxy ballot.

Selection by the committee doesn’t guarantee the nomination for a candidate, but is only an indication that committee members will work for the party’s selected candidate. Kavesh, the current Mayor of Nyack, says he’s still in the race, setting up the likelihood of a primary battle this Fall.

The close vote created tensions and hurt feelings among Kavesh and White supporters. “I am hopeful that a hard fought but respectful primary will be good for Nyack,” said Nyack Democratic Chairman Jordan Turner. “The candidates will have the opportunity to hear what is important to the voters and develop a platform that truly meets the needs of our village. And the voters will have the opportunity to choose from two able candidates,” he said.