Two years ago Tkaczyk proved to be a relentless closer. To prevail against Amedore by 18 votes again in an off year with Democrats divided will take some kind of late-breaking miracle.
Family Court
This low-key contest between Democrat Gilda Riccardi of Saugerties and Republican Keri Savona of Kingston figures to be a nail-biter at the polls. Given all the self-interested lawyers involved on both sides, I expect nothing less than a month’s worth of recounts.
Savona has the Conservative and Independence lines, Riccardi the Working Families. Savona’s multiple lines could offset a Democratic enrollment advantage of more than 9,000. Democrats have to come out and vote for their candidate. Savona could benefit from Gibson coattails, but she’ll get no push from Astorino.
It is a happy consequence for voters that both candidates bring impressive credentials to the fore. Riccardi, 60, has clerked (effectively an assistant judge) in Family Court for the better part of a decade. Savona, 38, appears in court as social services’ chief attorney on a regular basis.
As a reporter I understand that judicial contests are much like an episode of Seinfeld. Not much happens. I would have liked to have seen more advocacy from candidates about the court and the clientele they hope to serve, as well as about their new quarters when court goes into session in January. Even for a judicial candidate it’s not enough to pass the buck to the county government, which has the responsibility for providing those facilities.
The good news for the loser is that another family court judgeship should open up next year.
Also-rans
For Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum and Surrogate Judge Mary Work, Campaign 2014 could be their swan songs. Work, a well-respected jurist in the prime of her career, “ages out” at 70 in two years. VanBlarcum, 58, says he’s retiring after this third term. He said something like that after his second term four years ago.
For VanBlarcum something more important may be at stake: preserving a department he’s served since a teenager. Van Blarcum knows that County Executive Mike Hein, ever in search of something to cut, has his sword dangling above the sheriff’s beloved road patrol.
As Hein can read election results, the sheriff, even though unopposed in a ho-hum election year, will need to rack up an impressive total in order to keep the hounds of Hein at bay. Here’s a number to shoot for: 28,673. That was Hein’s total when he ran unopposed for re-election in 2011. VanBlarcum polled 42,115 votes in 2010 against weak opposition.
Excellent overview, Hugh; thank you for your thoroughness.
I would repeat one line:
“If [frustrated voters] stay home, at least two and possibly three local races could be impacted.”
I have always believed that, since I started voting, there are NO off-year elections. Everyone is running for an office that is important, both for what they can do in it now and to show what they can do in the future if they wish to move “up the ticket.” Thus, it is incumbent on every citizen to vote in every election; someone running for local or state office on November 4th will be running for President some time in the following few years.
Thanks again – see you at the polling place.
I think Gibson is going to blow out Eldridge by a wide margin. I know a lot of Democrats here in Ulster County that just don’t like Eldridge for several reasons, and have told me they’re voting for Gibson. Plus, Eldridge is going to get crushed in the other 10 less liberal counties in this district besides Ulster.
Going to be an ugly election night at the Eldridge household after spending all those millions of dollars.