MONTICELLO- It was a big night for Democrats in Sullivan County as they flipped control of the legislature and ousted all but one Republican incumbent to secure a controlling majority for the upcoming term. Democrats have secured at minimum five of the nine seats, with one race remaining too close to call. If the numbers in the final race hold, Democrats could go from having three seats on the current legislature, to six next year.
In District 1, Democrat challenger Matt McPhillips secured 61 percent of the vote and defeated incumbent Republican Robert Doherty, who serves at the legislature’s chairman. District 1 includes the Town of Bethel and Highlands, the Village of Jeffersonville, Sawn Lake, and Sakett Lake West and the turnout in this race was the highest of all legislative districts in the county.
In District 2, incumbent Democrat Nadia Rajsz easily defeated Republican challenger Joanne Jasper by a margin of 64 percent to 36 percent. Rajsz has served in the legislature since 2017 and previously served as vice chair of the body. District 2 includes the Towns of Lumberland and Forestburg, as well as a portion of the Village of Monticello.
In District 3, incumbent Republican Michael Brooks was defeated by Democrat challenger Brian McPhillips in a race that separated the two by around 10 percent. Brooks serves as the vice chair of the legislature. District 3 includes the Towns of Neverskink and Rockland, as well as the Parksville section of the Town of Liberty.
Republican Nicholas Salomone of District 4 was the sole Republican incumbent to retain his seat. Salomone beat Democrat challenger Maryallison Farley 54 percent to 46 percent. District 4 encompasses portions of the Town of Mamakating including the Village of Wurtsboro and the Village of Bloomingburg.
In District 5, incumbent Republican George Conklin was defeated by Democratic challenger Cat Scott by a margin of 12 percent. Conklin served one term on the legislature and previously served on the Fremont town board and as supervisor. District 5 encompasses much of the Western portion of Sullivan County including the Towns of Freemont, Callicoon, Delaware, Cochecton, and Tusten.
Elections in the 6th and 7th Legislative Districts were both unopposed. Democrat Louis Alvarez of 6th District, who previously served as legislative chairman, will return in the majority. It is unclear whether Republican Joseph Perrello of the 7th District, who ran on the Democratic line as well, will conference with the majority or the minority in the upcoming year.
Incumbent Democrat Ira Steingart in District 8 did not seek reelection and it appears as if his seat will be taken over by Republican Amanda Ward of Fallsburg. Ward defeated Democrat Justin Picciotti by approximately 6 percent and was the only Republican to flip a seat on election night. District 8 includes portions of the Town of Fallsburg and Thompson.
As of election night, the race in District 9 remains too close to call. Incumbent Republican Alan Sorenson did not seek reelection, and Democratic Monticello Mayor George Nikolados faced off against Republican Terry Blosser-Bernardo. Nikolados currently leads Blosser-Bernardo by five votes. Outstanding absentee ballots could likely determine the fate of this race.
