Bernardo and Astorino at the Raccoon Saloon in Marlboro
MARLBORO – Westchester County Executive and unsuccessful gubernatorial
candidate Robert Astorino formally announced his endorsement for Republican
Terry Bernardo, who is challenging Democrat incumbent Ulster County Executive
Michael Hein.
Astorino said Bernardo’s political experience as well as her policy convinced him to endorse her unquestionably.
“She’s got the experience having been a legislator, obviously and so she understands the issues,” he said. “She’s very pro-business, which means, she understands you’ve got to grow the economy and attract businesses to have a vibrant place where people can live and work and she’s going to make a great county executive. She’s a great candidate.”
Bernardo believes Astorino’s endorsement will help fringe voters find confidence in her ability to win. She said her main goal is to keep people living and working in Ulster.
“I think there might be people who are on the fence who think, ‘can she win?’ and I think the more people that start standing up and saying, ‘she can win and she will win’, I think it gives them the confidence to come out and stand up for me,” said Bernardo.
Hein has been the only county executive since Ulster changed to the charter form of government six years ago. Bernardo is a former chairwoman of the county legislature.
