KINGSTON- The monthly breakfast meeting of the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce will feature an appearance by the two candidates for Ulster County District Attorney, Democrat Emmanuel Nneji, and Republican Michael Kavanagh.
The event is scheduled on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at The Venue Uptown at the Best Western Plus, 503 Washington Ave. in Kingston. The sponsor is Nuvance Health. The winner of the November 7th election will succeed current DA David Clegg, a Democrat who is not seeking re-election.
Born in war-torn Nigeria, Nneji is known in local legal circles as “Manny” and has served as a prosecutor for 32 years under both Republicans and Democrats. He worked his way through SUNY New Paltz and the University of Buffalo Law School and is Ulster County’s current Chief Assistant DA.
Nneji’s priorities would be to “tackle violent crime with everything we have,” “deliver justice with compassion,” “prevent crime before it starts, ‘build the next generation DA’s office” and prosecute those who prey on seniors. He also promised a politics-free office.
Kavanagh, a non-enrolled voter running on the Republican line, said his priorities, if elected, would be fighting the opioid epidemic; protecting the elderly; supporting a holistic approach to mental health; preventing domestic violence; and prioritizing school safety.
Kavanagh, who lost a close race to Clegg for DA in 2019, is a 20-year prosecutor and criminal defense attorney and the former chief prosecutor under former DA Holley Carnright. He serves on several task forces related to elder abuse, opioids and animal abuse.
Chamber President Ward Todd thanked both candidates for agreeing to speak in front of chamber members and also thanked Cindy Bell and other volunteers from the Ulster County League of Women Voters, who help facilitate all Chamber ‘Meet the Candidates’ events.
