POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Democratic Committee on Thursday named Michael Dupree to be the party’s chairman. Dupree, vice-chair of the committee for nine years, was unopposed for the seat. Outgoing chairperson, Julie Shiroishi, stepped down as leader to focus on her campaign for the state senate.
Dupree said, “I am grateful to the Committee’s support and their confidence in my ability to lead us to victory this November.” Chairman Dupree is a resident of Hyde Park, where he has lived for the past 29 years and is well-known throughout the county.
In addition to his past positions on many philanthropic boards, Dupree also serves as Chair of the Hyde Park Planning Board and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Dutchess Community College.
Dupree plans to focus on building subcommittees to concentrate on social media, attracting and training candidates for the county legislature, and imparting best management practices to elected officials in each town, village, and city in the county. Campaign financing is also on Dupree’s agenda and he said, “We will work harder and differently to raise the funds that are needed for our candidates and elected officials to push their messages where voters can hear and understand them.”
At the meeting, County Board of Elections Democratic Commissioner Hannah Black was re-selected for another two-year term. Black said she was “honored to have the committee’s support and confidence in me to serve as their Democratic Elections Commissioner for another two-year term. I will continue to work hard to fight voter suppression and follow Election Law.”
The committee’s other new officers include Sarah Brannen, vice-chair; Vincent Pedi, treasurer; and Gillian Smith, secretary.
