Not many surprises in the Conservative Party endorsements for elected offices in Dutchess County government this year. The party is nearly unwavering in its support for Republicans.
The Republicans' four-man slate for county-wide elections in November is the Conservatives' slate. That would be incumbents Bill Steinhaus for executive, Butch Anderson for sheriff, Bill Grady for district attorney and Brad Kendall for clerk.
And in the 25 legislative districts, 20 of the Republican candidates for county Legislature received Conservative endorsements.
The other Conservative endorsements are Jim Doxsey, a Conservative running in District 1 with the backing of county Demcorats; Sue Tooker, the Democratic candidate in District 2, and Dominick Aquafredda, a District 10 candidate who was registered with the Independence Party as of last year.
The Conservatives have yet to endorse anyone in Districts 14 and 15, where the Legislature's Democratic leaders Roger Higgins and Sandy Goldberg were running unopposed at last check.
How important is a Conservative endorsement? That's debatable, but it's fair to say the party's influence is greater than its numbers. In Dutchess County, 3,381 voters were enrolled as Conservatives as of April, when the latest statistics were compiled by the State Elections Board. That translates to about 2 percent of all county voters.
Showing posts with label Party politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
What's in store for Saland and Leibell?
Expect some good-natured ribbing Tuesday night when Dutchess County's two state senators submit to a roast organized by the Dutchess County Young Republicans.
What else could this mean for Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, and Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson? The ghost of Dean Martin, bad jokes and uncomfortable anecdotes? You'll have to attend to find out (at $55 a ticket).
The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Links in Union Vale. For more information contact Young Republicans Chairman Bryan Cranna at 845-757-3933, or visit www.dutchessyr.com.
What else could this mean for Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie, and Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson? The ghost of Dean Martin, bad jokes and uncomfortable anecdotes? You'll have to attend to find out (at $55 a ticket).
The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Links in Union Vale. For more information contact Young Republicans Chairman Bryan Cranna at 845-757-3933, or visit www.dutchessyr.com.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
County GOP Election Roundup: Spring Edition
Looking back at my posts so far this month, I realized I've been devoting an inordinate number of pixels to the Dutchess Democrats. I have to attribute this to old-fashioned newspaper bias: Voting no often makes for better news stories than voting yes.
In pursuit of that ever-elusive ideal of balance, I checked in this morning with Dutchess County Republican Committee Chairwoman Corinne Weber, who was in her car on Interstate 87 heading south toward Maryland. (Cell phone in the car? No lawbreaker here. Weber had a hands-free device, she said.)
The Republicans' lineup for the fall hasn't really been a surprise for a while – maybe not since the last election or before, with one exception.
All four party incumbents in county-wide offices will be in the running in November. That means County Executive Bill Steinhaus, County Clerk Brad Kendall, District Attorney Bill Grady and Sheriff Butch Anderson.
“How can you beat that ticket?” Weber said.
The exception to this somewhat anti-climactic ticket is Kendall, who was appointed in December to fill out the rest of retiring Colette Lafuente's term. November will be his first county-wide election, and that makes him the most vulnerable of the four Republicans by default.
Weber isn't worried about Kendall, though the party is keenly aware of its losses two years ago in the Legislature. The Democrats gained four seats, reducing the Republicans' majority to one.
"It's of great concern," Weber said, "but we're not only looking to maintain what we have but get a few more back."
In pursuit of that ever-elusive ideal of balance, I checked in this morning with Dutchess County Republican Committee Chairwoman Corinne Weber, who was in her car on Interstate 87 heading south toward Maryland. (Cell phone in the car? No lawbreaker here. Weber had a hands-free device, she said.)
The Republicans' lineup for the fall hasn't really been a surprise for a while – maybe not since the last election or before, with one exception.
All four party incumbents in county-wide offices will be in the running in November. That means County Executive Bill Steinhaus, County Clerk Brad Kendall, District Attorney Bill Grady and Sheriff Butch Anderson.
“How can you beat that ticket?” Weber said.
The exception to this somewhat anti-climactic ticket is Kendall, who was appointed in December to fill out the rest of retiring Colette Lafuente's term. November will be his first county-wide election, and that makes him the most vulnerable of the four Republicans by default.
Weber isn't worried about Kendall, though the party is keenly aware of its losses two years ago in the Legislature. The Democrats gained four seats, reducing the Republicans' majority to one.
"It's of great concern," Weber said, "but we're not only looking to maintain what we have but get a few more back."
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Dems pick Joe, Dick, ?, ?
The Dutchess County Democratic Committee made it officials Tuesday night and designated Joe Ruggiero as the party's candidate for county executive and Dick Anderson as the candidate for county clerk.
Ruggiero is the Wappinger town supervisor and chairman of the county party. Anderson is a former county clerk, who was unseated in 2003 by Republican Colette Lafuente, who retired last December.
The Democrats still don't have anyone yet to challenge District Attorney Bill Grady or Sheriff Butch Anderson, but they still have time.
“We certainly are actively continuing to look for qualified candidates who would step forward for those positions," said Jane Barbara Smith, who stepped down Tuesday night from her role as the committee's vice chairwoman. (She said she wants to focus on her candidacy for Dutchess Legislature. She is challenging Legislator Rob Rolison, R-Poughkeepsie, in District 8.)
The Democrats also are scheduled tonight to heap praise on Beacon Councilman Steve Gold as the party's candidate for mayor. A news conference is set for 6 p.m. at Howland Cultural Center. The Republican candidate is former Councilman Fred Antalek.
Ruggiero is the Wappinger town supervisor and chairman of the county party. Anderson is a former county clerk, who was unseated in 2003 by Republican Colette Lafuente, who retired last December.
The Democrats still don't have anyone yet to challenge District Attorney Bill Grady or Sheriff Butch Anderson, but they still have time.
“We certainly are actively continuing to look for qualified candidates who would step forward for those positions," said Jane Barbara Smith, who stepped down Tuesday night from her role as the committee's vice chairwoman. (She said she wants to focus on her candidacy for Dutchess Legislature. She is challenging Legislator Rob Rolison, R-Poughkeepsie, in District 8.)
The Democrats also are scheduled tonight to heap praise on Beacon Councilman Steve Gold as the party's candidate for mayor. A news conference is set for 6 p.m. at Howland Cultural Center. The Republican candidate is former Councilman Fred Antalek.
Monday, June 4, 2007
County Dems to hold convention
The Republicans held their convention last month. Now it's the Democrats' turn.
The Dutchess County Democratic Committee will hold its convention at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Polish-American Club, 19 N. Bridge St., Poughkeepsie. The committee is expected to endorse Wappinger Supervisor Joe Ruggiero for county executive. Former County Clerk Dick Anderson is expected to get the nomination for clerk.
If that's all the endorsing the committee does, then District Attorney Bill Grady and Sheriff Butch Anderson, both Republicans, could be looking at uncontested races in November.
The Dutchess County Democratic Committee will hold its convention at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Polish-American Club, 19 N. Bridge St., Poughkeepsie. The committee is expected to endorse Wappinger Supervisor Joe Ruggiero for county executive. Former County Clerk Dick Anderson is expected to get the nomination for clerk.
If that's all the endorsing the committee does, then District Attorney Bill Grady and Sheriff Butch Anderson, both Republicans, could be looking at uncontested races in November.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Dutchess Dems make it online
I stand corrected. The Dutchess County Democratic Committee has its new Web site up and running, contrary to my post from yesterday. My problem was that I was trying the wrong address. It's dutchessdem.com.
Now we can watch the two parties duke it out in cyberspace for control of the county. The Democrats' new site looks a tad more professional than the Republicans' site, but I'm no expert on Web design. Anyone care to critique the two sites?
Now we can watch the two parties duke it out in cyberspace for control of the county. The Democrats' new site looks a tad more professional than the Republicans' site, but I'm no expert on Web design. Anyone care to critique the two sites?
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Dems lag behind GOP on Web
Whether you come to praise or to bury the Dutchess County Republican Party, you have to give them some credit: At least they've entered the 21st century.
When I first took over this beat last year, it was easy to study the major players and structure of the county's Republican party. It's right there on the Web at www.dutchesscountyrepublicancommittee.org. But to figure out who's who among the county's Democrats and what they were up to? Not nearly so easy. I spent an afternoon trying to find a comparable Web site before finally giving up.
I brought this up recently with the county party's chairman, Joe Ruggiero, and he assured me that the Dutchess Demorcats soon would have a Web presence, too.
Ruggiero already has a Web site promoting his own candidacy for county executive. But the Dutchess County Democrats still have a way to go. If you search Google for "dutchess" and "democrats," the first link is to www.dutchessdemocrats.org with the tagline "Coming soon..." Click on the link and nothing happens. At least not yet.
When I first took over this beat last year, it was easy to study the major players and structure of the county's Republican party. It's right there on the Web at www.dutchesscountyrepublicancommittee.org. But to figure out who's who among the county's Democrats and what they were up to? Not nearly so easy. I spent an afternoon trying to find a comparable Web site before finally giving up.
I brought this up recently with the county party's chairman, Joe Ruggiero, and he assured me that the Dutchess Demorcats soon would have a Web presence, too.
Ruggiero already has a Web site promoting his own candidacy for county executive. But the Dutchess County Democrats still have a way to go. If you search Google for "dutchess" and "democrats," the first link is to www.dutchessdemocrats.org with the tagline "Coming soon..." Click on the link and nothing happens. At least not yet.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Post-holiday roundup
A few stories to pass along...
Dick Anderson announced today that he's back in the running for the Dutchess County clerk on the Democratic ticket after he was unseated in 2003 by Republican Colette Lafuente. If he gets the nomination, his Republican challenger in November will be Brad Kendall, who was appointed to the position last year after Lafuente retired.
Republicans are using a new radio add to link U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in votes on peanuts and fish. Sounds like an interesting entree, but there's more to this story than a high-protein diet.
And Gov. Eliot Spitzer was in Pine Plains on Monday to participate in the town's Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. Spitzer, who owns a home nearby in Columbia County, says he likes the local coffee.
Dick Anderson announced today that he's back in the running for the Dutchess County clerk on the Democratic ticket after he was unseated in 2003 by Republican Colette Lafuente. If he gets the nomination, his Republican challenger in November will be Brad Kendall, who was appointed to the position last year after Lafuente retired.
Republicans are using a new radio add to link U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in votes on peanuts and fish. Sounds like an interesting entree, but there's more to this story than a high-protein diet.
And Gov. Eliot Spitzer was in Pine Plains on Monday to participate in the town's Memorial Day parade and ceremonies. Spitzer, who owns a home nearby in Columbia County, says he likes the local coffee.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
County Dems Election Roundup: Spring Edition
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.
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.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
It's a Grand Old Party at the Grand
The Dutchess County Republican Committee has scheduled its convention for May 16 at the Grand Hotel in Poughkeepsie, and there's still a tiny bit of suspense surrounding the party's picks for county-wide offices heading toward the November elections.
Committee Chairwoman Corinne Weber was still marveling at the result of the Kentucky Derby when Straw Poll contacted her by phone this evening to check in. (She didn't win any money.)
Weber said District Attorney William Grady, Sheriff Butch Anderson and Clerk Brad Kendall all have confirmed their interest in running on the Republican ticket. That leaves only County Executive William Steinhaus, who has yet to say publicly whether he will run for a fifth four-year term.
Straw Poll has a hunch. We'll know for certain soon: Weber said Steinhaus is expected to make an announcement sometime next week.
Committee Chairwoman Corinne Weber was still marveling at the result of the Kentucky Derby when Straw Poll contacted her by phone this evening to check in. (She didn't win any money.)
Weber said District Attorney William Grady, Sheriff Butch Anderson and Clerk Brad Kendall all have confirmed their interest in running on the Republican ticket. That leaves only County Executive William Steinhaus, who has yet to say publicly whether he will run for a fifth four-year term.
Straw Poll has a hunch. We'll know for certain soon: Weber said Steinhaus is expected to make an announcement sometime next week.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Candidates wanted
The Independence Party is looking for candidates in Dutchess County.
If you want to run this year for local office on the Independence line or with the party's endorsement, let party leaders know soon.
Send requests, including a contact phone number and the office you are seeking, post-marked by May 18 to Dennis Zack, P.O. Box 116, Fishkill, NY 12524, or Laura Downing, 25 Lincoln Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
If you want to run this year for local office on the Independence line or with the party's endorsement, let party leaders know soon.
Send requests, including a contact phone number and the office you are seeking, post-marked by May 18 to Dennis Zack, P.O. Box 116, Fishkill, NY 12524, or Laura Downing, 25 Lincoln Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Dutch Cabin welcomes Young Dems
If you're registered with the party of FDR but weren't old enough to vote for Michael Dukakis (remember him?), then Sunday might be your night.
The Dutchess County Young Democrats will gather from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dutch Cabin Restaurant, 35 Fairmont Ave., near Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. The group will elect leaders and discuss its plans for 2007.
You can be a part of those plans if you're a registered Democrat of at least 18 years but not more than 35 years.
The group's president, Dan French, called 2006 a "strong year" filled with reorganizing and rebuilding. "In 2007, we will build upon this success as we make plans for our membership to make a difference by serving our community, working on local political campaigns and encouraging local candidates to address issues that affect young people," French said in a news release.
If instead you're registered with the party of Lincoln but weren't old enough to vote AGAINST Michael Dukakis (remember him?), surf on over to the Web site of the Dutchess County Young Republicans to see what they're up to. (They allow 40-year-olds, so some members might have first-hand stories of opposing Dukakis after all.)
The Dutchess County Young Democrats will gather from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dutch Cabin Restaurant, 35 Fairmont Ave., near Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. The group will elect leaders and discuss its plans for 2007.
You can be a part of those plans if you're a registered Democrat of at least 18 years but not more than 35 years.
The group's president, Dan French, called 2006 a "strong year" filled with reorganizing and rebuilding. "In 2007, we will build upon this success as we make plans for our membership to make a difference by serving our community, working on local political campaigns and encouraging local candidates to address issues that affect young people," French said in a news release.
If instead you're registered with the party of Lincoln but weren't old enough to vote AGAINST Michael Dukakis (remember him?), surf on over to the Web site of the Dutchess County Young Republicans to see what they're up to. (They allow 40-year-olds, so some members might have first-hand stories of opposing Dukakis after all.)
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