County Democratic chair announces senate campaign for the 39th district

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The newly-drawn NYS 39th Senate District.
Julie Sheroishi

POUGHKEEPSIE – The chairperson of the Dutchess County Democratic Committee has announced her candidacy for the newly-drawn 39th senate district in New York.  The announcement was made just hours after fellow Democrat Evan Menist, a City of Poughkeepsie Common Council member said he was considering a run for the seat.

Beacon resident Julie Shiroishi told Mid-Hudson News of her decision to run on Saturday evening at a rally in Poughkeepsie.  Joining Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson and New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado at the “Moms Demand Action” rally at the Mansion Street Post Office in a call for stricter gun control laws in light of the recent mass shootings that took place in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas.

Shiroishi, the Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Jacobson (D-Newburgh) said her candidacy was a response to Democratic State Senator James Skoufis’ decision to run in the new 42nd senate district.  “We are disappointed that Senator Skoufis won’t be running in the 39th.  He’s a tremendous senator.”

Citing the recent uptick in gun violence, the 15-year Beacon resident said “I can no longer stay on the sidelines,” as she pledged to combat gun violence as a senator.  “I have two sons and there is not a day that goes by when I don’t have a kernel of fear when I send them to school and it’s intolerable.”

Shiroishi will seek to be the Democratic candidate in a race against Republican City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, who has the GOP committee endorsement in Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange Counties, which are in the new 39th senate district.

“There is a clear difference between the two parties in the country right now and I am going to hold my ground and do everything I can to make sure that my opponent, who opposed the SAFE Act, does not win this seat.