HOPEWELL JUNCTION – City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison has received the endorsement of the Republican Committees in all three counties of the newly-drawn 39th New York State Senate District. Voting members of GOP Committees from Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties gathered Tuesday night to select Rolison as their candidate.
The Republican Poughkeepsie mayor is in his second term at the helm of the Democrat-leaning city and his second and final term is over at the end of 2023.
He fended off challenges from three other Republicans; Fishkill Councilman John Forman, East Fishkill Board Member Emanuele “Manny” Marinaro, and Putnam County Legislator William Gouldman, from Putnam Valley.
Late last week, Pawling Town Supervisor James Schmitt announced that he would seek the party nomination but withdrew quietly after Rolison’s announcement on Monday. Former Pawling Town Supervisor David Kelly, who served with Rolison on the Dutchess County Legislature, also planned to seek the nomination. “When I learned that Rob was interested in running, I immediately withdrew my name and endorsed the former legislator, chairman of the legislature, and current mayor. Rob has a proven track record and experience in government that will certainly help the district,” Kelly said.
After the voting on Tuesday, Rolison told Mid-Hudson News that he was honored by the outcome. “I am grateful for the support of Republican committee members from Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam Counties. This campaign is just beginning but we have already begun working,” the long-time public servant said. “With the support of the party, we are well on our way to victory.”
Dutchess County GOP Chairman Michael McCormack considers Rolison a step in the right direction for Albany. “It is without a doubt that Mayor Rolison is an outstanding candidate and will be an incredible State Senator when he is elected this November,” he said. “Rob has a proven track record of being the voice of the people that he has represented in his various roles as an elected official throughout his career.”
McCormack also took the opportunity to point to what he said were the problems created when one party controls all of the state government as the Democrats do now. “In a time when one-party rule is strangling the people of New York, we will have another voice to combat the dysfunction we know in the state capitol. Rob is the right person at the right time and will make a positive difference in the lives of all New Yorkers when elected.”
Rolison has begun his effort to follow in his late father, Jay’s, footsteps as he served for many years in the State Senate.
A map of the 39th New York State Senate District can be found by clicking here.
