Cutten, shunned by Democrats, locks up GOP, two other lines to run for Ulster comptroller

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KINGSTON – Lisa Cutten, who lost the Democratic Party nomination for Ulster County comptroller to March Gallagher, Thursday, announced she will appear on the November ballot as the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party candidate.

Cutten was the county director of accountability, compliance and efficiency from 2014 until July 2 when Patrick Ryan became county executive and terminated her.

Cutten: “non-political”

Cutten said her professional background as a certified public accountant and local government finance professional makes her more suited for the post than Gallagher.

The Kingston city resident has also changed her enrollment from Democrat to a registered “’blank” with no party affiliation.

“The position really requires the comptroller to be non-political. I think our previous comptroller suffered from being embroiled in politics too often, so I am really doing it as at this point, symbolically as to further demonstrate the fact that this position should be independent. The sole job is to be the overseer of the county finances and a role in auditing and does not belong embroiled in the politics,” Cutten said.

The comptroller’s post came up for election when Elliott Auerbach was hired as a deputy state comptroller. Auerbach, who had locked horns repeatedly with fellow Democrat former County Executive Michael Hein, has endorsed Gallagher to replace him on the county level.

When Cutten lost the Democratic nomination, she said she would not seek the GOP line, but after her party convention, Republican Chairman Roger Rascoe reached out to her. “This decision is not a Republican or political decision; instead, it is offering the voters of Ulster County an opportunity to elect an independent voice with professional experience to do the work expected of a county comptroller without regard to political affiliation,” he said.




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