Strong Slate Topped by Maloney, Skoufis, and Bhandarkar
It’s Finally here. The Main Event. We’ve been hearing this so frequently over the last 40 months that it’s almost cliché to call the 2020 Presidential Election the “most important election of our lifetimes.” And yet it is.
But while we cannot take anything for granted we can feel confident that that New York’s 29 electoral votes will go to the eventual Democratic Nominee – whoever he may be. However that same level of confidence does not extend to the local down-ticket races and the gains made at the state and local level could be in jeopardy.
But fear not, because the Cornwall Democratic Committee and the Orange County Democratic Party have endorsed a slate of candidates that provide outstanding alternatives to the cynical Republican opperatives seeking your trust.
On the ballot just below President and Vice President we will find the 18th Congressional District candidates. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney is seeking reelection. Those of us that watched the House Intelligence Committee’s impeachment hearings will never forget Congressman Maloney’s direct question to Ambassador Gordon Sondland:
Congressman Maloney: Was there a quid pro quo?
Ambassador Sondland: Yes.
Following Congressman Maloney on the ballot is Cornwall’s long-time friend and new resident, Senator James Skoufis. Reflecting on the year’s accomplishments, Senator Skoufis recently told The Cornwall Democrat, “I'm proud to have led theeffort in Albany to: protect sexual abuse survivors by passing the Child Victims Act; eliminate vaccine loopholes; make the property tax cap permanent; unmask shady LLC property owners; hold the Kiryas Joel-owned well in Cornwall accountable; and secure more money than has ever come back to our Senate District for our schools and roads.”
In addition the Senator is well known for his tireless work in-district on behalf of local residents. For all of his hard work Senator Skoufis has a target on his back. State republicans have made a priority out of regaining the senate and our senator heads their hit list.
On the Assembly side Sarita Bhandarkar is running for the 99th Assembly District seat formerly held by James Skoufis. Since the 99th fell into Republican hands two years ago the district has seen nothing but grandstanding from its assemblyman. Ms. Bhandarkar will work with Senator Skoufis to ensure that local needs are met in Albany.
There are the judicial candidates too. Running for Orange County Court Judge is Judge Paul Trachte from the City of Newburgh where he established a “drug court” as well as a policy towards offenders with underlying mental health conditions that provides for treatment over incarceration when appropriate. For Family Court Judge the convention nominated Maria Patrizio who has this to say about her candidacy: “I’m running for Family Court judge because families need a good, caring judge to be there during their most difficult times. I have spent 20 years serving the people of Orange County as a Family Court attorney, prioritizing excellence and compassion. As a judge, I will work to make an already difficult process easier on struggling families.” Ms. Patrizio Literally wrote the book on Family Court, Successfully Navigating Family Court in New York.
In this year’s only race involving the Town of Cornwall Cornwall exclusively, Lynn Beesecker is seeking another term as Town Justice where he continues to deliver fair and steady justice that the residents of Cornwall have grown accuustomed to and deserve.