In the second-to-last column on the Nov. 6 ballot, voters will have the choice of two local lawyers to be town justice. While Christopher Kraft has secured endorsements from the Democratic, Working Families and Independence parties, counting more than his adversary, Republican William Myers. Myers has held the position as an interim for eight months since Daniel Lamb died in February.
The race is one of the most closely watched of the midterm contests — the outcome could determine which party controls the House of Representatives next year.
If Democrats pick up just one seat in the State Senate, the legislature could pass a single-payer healthcare bill. Whether the governor would support it is a different matter.
The Ulster County Sheriff’s race pits incumbent Paul VanBlarcum, who spent his entire career with the department before being elected sheriff in 2007 and is running on that experience, against challenger Juan Figueroa, a former state trooper and Marine Corps reservist who promises to bring a new approach to the office.
The supervisor said layoffs would be required to keep the tax increase under 2 percent.
With a little more than a week to to go until midterm elections, Democrats rolled out one of the party’s biggest guns — former Vice President Joe Biden — in their effort to take New York’s 19th Congressional District.
Since the spring, Democrats have added 25 new voters for every 1 Republican.
New York 19th Congressional District candidates John Faso and Antonio Delgado largely stuck to the script in Monday night’s debate at the Woodstock Playhouse, delivering well-rehearsed answers to frequently asked questions. But both candidates delivered a few curveballs, with the incumbent Faso accusing Democrats of a “mob mentality” and Delgado declaring that he would reject the endorsement of the House’s top Democrat, former (and maybe future) Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“Congressman John Faso of New York has worked hard and smart,” tweeted the president. “Strong on Crime, Borders and our 2nd Amendment, John is respected by all. Vote for John. He has my complete and total Endorsement!”
With two weeks until Election Day, the race in New York’s 19th Congressional District is a dead heat.