Croton Senate District Challenge?

Assemblyman Steve Katz (R, C- Yorktown) is considering a primary challenge against fellow Republican state Sen. Greg Ball (R,C- Patterson) for the 40th state Senate seat, which includes Croton-on-Hudson.

"I'm strongly considering it," Katz said on Tuesday. "I'll make an announcement on it next week [on Monday]."

He refused to discuss any further details until his announcement, but said it was because of what he had seen over the last year.

Katz, a veterinarian who lives in Mohegan Lake with his family, made his first run for political office two years ago as a Tea Party candidate. He , which was vacated by Greg Ball, who ran for state Senate. The two lawmakers have been frequently campaigning and holding press conferences together, with Katz reportedly contributing to Ball's campaign. 

The two men have been close political allies until a recent fall out. 

Nicole Katz, the assemblyman's wife, publicly criticized Ball after he "defriended" her and blocked her from his official Facebook page. That was after she had posted a comment disagreeing with Ball's post, in which he criticized Congressional Republicans.

In protest, Nicole Katz posted a YouTube video "The Salad Bully," which she had made along with friends Robin and Gary Murphy of Chappaqua. In the video, Nicole Katz can be seen at her Yorktown home's dinner table where . 

Regarding Katz' consideration to wage a primary, Greg Ball's office issued a statement, which was attributed to his Chief of Staff Jim Coleman.

"It’s unfortunate that a fellow Republican, who hasn't even finished his first term and whose absent from the Assembly 15 [percent] of the time, would work to help the New York City Democrats gain control of this seat by pushing an unnecessary primary," Coleman wrote. "He has done little in Albany, earning the nickname of Dr. Do-Little, and has a track record of flip flops, broken promises and liberal stances."

Coleman continued and wrote that Sen. Ball is "focused on job creation, tax relief and delivering for the district, and he will maintain that focus for the rest of his term, primary or no primary."

"Regardless of what [Greg Ball] might say, I've represented my district with honesty, dignity, integrity and effectiveness," Katz said.

Democrat Justin Wagner, an attorney from Croton-on-Hudson, . Two men are also vying for the assembly seat, currently occupied by Steve Katz – Dario Gristina of Putnam Valley and Wolf Lawton of Mahopac.

The 40th State Senate District covers portions of northern Westchester, Putnam and parts of Dutchess counties. , the 40 district would markedly expand its Westchester presence.