NEWBURGH – Governor Kathy Hochul was in Newburgh on Wednesday and provided Mid-Hudson News with an update on the possibility of a new sheriff being named.
Sheriff Butch Anderson passed away in late 2021 and Undersheriff Kirk Imperati has been serving as the active sheriff in the absence of the governor appointing a successor.
In early February, Hochul said her office was working on the appointment process. “We have individuals that are being interviewed,” said Hochul. “There’s a process – very strong vetting – background vetting that goes on and we interview people.”
Hochul now has an option because Democrat Jillian Hanlon declared her intent to seek the Democratic nomination to run against Imperati in November. The Dutchess County Democratic Committee is holding their nominating meeting on Thursday night via Zoom and Hanlon could secure the party’s endorsement.
With a Democrat prepared to run, Hochul said, “Our team has been speaking to the local leadership, interviewing individuals, and trying to make the right decision with respect to that election, but we understand there is an opportunity to name an individual to fill the vacancy but also there is the other option of letting the process play out,” she said. “We’re working on it as we speak – we really are.”
Acting Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati responded to Hochul’s update saying “I agree with the Governor and I should remain in the position and let the voters of Dutchess County decide who the next sheriff is in November.”
