Hein: “We always put people over politics …”
KINGSTON – Democrat incumbent Michael Hein won a new four-year
term as Ulster County executive.
Technical glitches at the Board of Elections prevented a complete preliminary
tally Tuesday night.
With 97 percent of precincts reported, Hein’s results came in just under 55 percent, at 19,201 votes. Bernardo’s percentage was just above 42 percent, with 14,739 ballots. The remaining 2.75 percent went to Green Party candidate Hunter Downie, receiving 960 votes.
Democrats appear to have maintained their narrow 12-11 majority on the county legislature.
Hein said his record speaks for itself.
“We never shied away from difficult issues, difficult decisions, or difficult discussions. We’ve always put people over politics and delivered results. That’s what leadership is supposed to be about.”
Thanking supporters, Hein called this election a referendum on reform, change, and good government. “What the people have truly asked for every step of the way is a government that works for them,” he said. “People have universally embraced what we bring to the table as a group – powerful ideas, commitment to reform, and integrity.”
In a statement following the vote, Bernardo, a former county legislature chairman who lost a reelection bid four years ago, said “I am proud of the campaign we ran and the issues we raised. Let’s all continue to work to improve our county and the lives of its residents.”
