Rolison announces bid to become state senator

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New 39th Senate District

POUGHKEEPSIE – City Mayor Rob Rolison has told Mid-Hudson News that he is prepared to run for a newly created state senate district.  The longtime public servant plans to run for the seat after a discussion with his wife and family.

Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison

The newly-drawn 39th District includes much of Dutchess County, including the cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon, most of western Putnam County, and in Orange County, it includes the City of Newburgh and goes west to Montgomery.

If he were to win, he would be following in the footsteps of his late father, Jay Rolison as he served in a Poughkeepsie-based Senate district for years.

Rolison said “I have been in public service since I was 18,” noting his career as a volunteer with the Arlington Fire District, a career with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and more than 15 years as an elected official.  Rolison retired as a detective with the town police before becoming a Dutchess County Legislator, including several years as the Chairman of the Legislature, before being elected twice as the Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie.

“I have been asked by several people, and am considering a run for the new 39th senate district,” he said.

Noting that he assembled a team to help manage one of the most populated cities in the region, Rolison said “It’s never been me or I, it’s a team.  Our team has fought to reduce the budget deficit that we inherited and have been successful at it.”

“We have restored fiscal balance and continued to maintain services to our residents, even during the pandemic,” he touted, adding “We have restored confidence in city government with the help of many, including our dedicated workforce.”

Rolison expects that the Republican Committees in the three counties will begin interviewing announced candidates this week, in an attempt to avoid a potential primary.  To date, several Republicans have announced their campaigns including former Pawling Supervisor David Kelly, current Supervisor James Schmitt, and Fishkill Town Councilman John Forman.

A map of the new district can be found by clicking here.




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