Career
She was unanimously elected Secretary for the State Grand Old Party 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. She resides in Yorktown Heights, New New York
Panio was the first female Chairperson of the Westchester County Republican Committee.
Panio"s leadership was the subject of criticism as Westchester, one of the oldest Republican strongholds in the United States and home of former Governor George Pataki, began to trend heavily Democratic during her tenure. 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. She also held the position of Chairperson of the Republican Committee for the Town of Yorktown for fourteen years.
Before entering politics and owning a liquor store, Panio had worked in the advertising office of Look Magazine.
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. She was elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1996 was an alternate delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.
She is also fluent in Italian.
On June 11, 2007 Panio announced her resignation as Chairperson of the Westchester County Republican Committee in order to run for the position of Town Supervisor in Yorktown, New New York 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. Independent Linda Clemenza, who was also an unsuccessful candidate for Supervisor in 2005, announced she would mount another write-in campaign in 2007.
Foreign 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.
"I think women have demonstrated in leadership positions that they"re capable of handling very difficult situations," said Panio, who points to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as an example of a powerful woman on her side of the political spectrum. But, she cautioned, "for the presidency, I don"t think it really matters if it"s a man or a woman, it has to be the right person for the job.". Electoral history
Panio also ran on the Conservative Party of New York ticket.
