Maloney, left, listens as Rolison, podium, accepts the endorsement
during a sidewalk event
on Main Street
POUGKEEPSIE — In a display of bipartisanship, Democratic Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY18) crossed party lines endorsing Republican Robert Rolison for mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie.
Maloney said that he believes Rolison is the best equipped for the position and that the city needs to prioritize its future over politics.
“It has to be about more than party,” said Maloney. “We have a good man here who’s going to create jobs and economic opportunity in this city; he will be a good partner to me and to all the other officials who are working to make the City of Poughkeepsie better. I hope all Democrats will support Rob Rolison on November 3rd.”
Rolison, currently the chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature, will face Democrat Randy Johnson.
Maloney shrugged off the suggestion that his endorsement of Rolison was in retaliation to Randy’s wife, Gwen Johnson, endorsing Republican Nan Hayworth during the last congressional election and bluntly explained his endorsement was based on his belief that, “Rob Rolison is the best man for the job… stop.”
Rolison said he was very appreciative of the congressman’s endorsement and that working across the political aisle is something that Poughkeepsie truly needs right now as well as moving into the future.
“It’s about working together; it’s about doing the right thing,” said Rolison. “It’s not party labels that get things done, it’s about working across the aisle, something he [Maloney] does in Congress, working across the aisle, something I’ve done in the legislature for 12 years. Cooperation and collaboration is going to lead to a Poughkeepsie moving forward.”
Johnson, meanwhile, said Maloney’s endorsement didn’t surprise him and doesn’t change his goals to ensure that the voices of city residents are heard.
“You have elected officials who have a track record of not acting on behalf of the Poughkeepsie taxpayers. They are fool to be flocking together,” Johnson said.
Rolison was also endorsed by County Executive Molinaro, a fellow Republican, and various labor organizations on Tuesday.
If elected, Rolison said he plans to focus on revitalizing Poughkeepsie’s urban center and continuing to enhance public safety, which he said is the most important role of government, by continuing to utilize grant opportunities for the police and fire departments.
