District 1 a race to watch

The parties are finalizing their slates of candidates for the Dutchess Legislature in anticipation of an epic battle for control of county government in November. One race to watch might be the District 1 contest, which is without an incumbent.

Legislator Patrick Nesbitt, R-Poughkeepsie, is choosing not to run after four years in office so he can spend more time with his family and focus on his new job (he recently was promoted to detective in the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.)

Taking his place on the Republican line is Jeff Magee, an IBMer who lives down the road from Nesbitt on Cedar Street.

The Democrats, meanwhile, have chosen to back Jim Doxsey, who is enrolled as a conservative. If elected, he would caucus with the Democrats.