Straw Poll checked in today with Dutchess Democratic Party Chairman Joe Ruggiero to see how the party's ticket is shaping up for the November elections.
Ruggiero is at the top of that ticket after declaring Tuesday that he would run for county executive against Bill Steinhaus, the Republican incumbent. That means Ruggiero won't run for re-election as Wappinger town supervisor. Ruggiero said he would resign as party chairman if elected county executive.
It's looking like former Dutchess County Clerk Dick Anderson will try to win his old job back after he was defeated in 2003 by Colette Lafuente, the former Republican mayor of Poughkeepsie.
"He kind of told us after he narrowly lost last time that he wanted another shot," Ruggiero said.
Lafuente retired last year, and fellow Republican Brad Kendall was appointed to complete her term.
Anderson hasn't formally announced his campaign to challenge Kendall, though he has been seeking the support of party leaders around the county, Ruggiero said. The Town of Poughkeepsie Democrats already have endorsed Anderson.
The Democrats have two potential candidates considering a challenge to District Attorney Bill Grady. Ruggiero said neither has committed to running yet.
And Sheriff Butch Anderson, a Republican, seems safe for another term. No Democrat has come forward to challenge him, Ruggiero said, but there still is time.
As for the Legislature, nearly all of the Democrats' incumbent legislators are running for re-election, with the exception of Fred Knapp, who is running for Poughkeepsie mayor instead. Steve White will take Knapp's place as the Democratic candidate in District 9.
Whew! That's quite a bit to keep track of. And there will be more to report from the Republican side. Stay tuned.
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1 comment:
Glad to see you are back on the blogisphere. Like you said this should be a very interesting election.
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