DUTCHESS COUNTY- The court-appointed Special Master tasked with drawing new districts for New York’s Congressional districts and state senate districts has enticed several Dutchess Republicans to consider a state senate campaign for the new 39th District.
A newly-formed state senate district, the 39th, currently part of Senator Sue Serino’s 41st district includes parts of Orange, Dutchess, and Putnam Counties. The proposed district will be ruled on by NYS Supreme Court Justice Patrick McCallister on Friday.
The proposed district has 313,000 residents spread among parts of Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange Counties. Voter statistics sat that the district, as drawn, was a Biden-leaning district in 2020.
Several Dutchess County Republicans have expressed interest in running in the new district if the lines are upheld.
Former Town of Pawling Supervisor David Kelly, a longtime GOP elected said he is certainly interested. “While serving as Town of Pawling Supervisor, I considered running for the previous senate district. After careful consideration, I stepped aside and campaigned for Terrence Murphy, who went on to win the seat,” Kelly said, adding “I still have a lot to offer and my extensive career in public service is why residents are asking me to consider running again.” Kelly served as a Village of Pawling Trustee from 1994-1997 before moving to the County Legislature, where he served until 2009, before returning as Pawling’s Deputy Town Supervisor in October 2009 until being elected, and re-elected as Pawling Supervisor starting in 2010 end ending in 2017. “I have dedicated my adult life to serving Pawling, and everyone that needs assistance, so I am certainly considering this possibility.”
Town of Fishkill Councilman John Forman, who previously served as a Dutchess County Legislator has also expressed interest in the new district, one of 63 in the state. “I have years of experience representing a good portion of the new district as a county legislator and I continue to employ my conservative values to the taxpayers as a member of the Fishkill Town Board. My record of fighting for taxpayers makes me a formidable candidate for the seat.”
Current Town of Pawling Supervisor James Schmitt announced on Wednesday that he is interested in running if the new district is upheld. “I have spoken with Republican leaders in Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam and am comforted by the support,” he said. In a social media post, the Pawling leader said “The residents of the newly drawn 39th SenateDistrict deserve an experienced and responsive representative in Albany.” Prior to being elected as Pawling Town Supervisor, Republican Schmitt had never held public office.
Candidates for all of New York’s 63 senate districts will need to win their party primary election, scheduled for August 23, 2022 before facing a challenge from a candidate of another party in the November general election.
