Larkin, a decorated career Army officer, holds a photo of himself
as a young soldier in this file photo
NEWBURGH – State Senator William Larkin is expected to announce
his retirement tomorrow (Thursday).
The Republican lawmaker has called a news conference to announce his “intentions
for re-election this November.”
A number of sources have told Mid-Hudson News that he will announce he
will not run in November.
His office had no comment about the impending announcement on Wednesday.
Larkin is 90 years old. During his last re-election campaign, he suffered
from pneumonia and did little to no campaigning.
The senator began his political career when he successfully ran for New
Windsor town supervisor in November 1975. After one year, he ran for the
State Assembly and held that seat for several years until he challenged
an incumbent Democrat and captured his current Senate seat.
Waiting in the wings to run on the Republican line when Larkin’s
retirement is made official is Stony Point Town Councilman Thomas Basile,
who has been making the rounds in political circles.
If he does announce his retirement, Larkin will be the second senior senator
from the Hudson Valley to do so; John Bonacic, another Republican, announced
last week that he would retire at the end of the current term.
