For what’s thought to be the first time, a full slate of female candidates is running for Dutchess County positions.
Female candidates are out to unseat the County Executive, Clerk, County Court and Family Court Judges.
Heading the ticket: County Comptroller Diane Jablonski, who is challenging incumbent Republican Marc Molinaro for Dutchess County Executive. "My four years as Dutchess County Comptroller really gave me the opportunity to understand how Dutchess County government works. It also enabled me to understand the flow of money, the importance of the state and federal funding that comes into the county, and how to balance and use all these resources."
Jablonski sees economics as the most pressing issue and believes she has the recipe to attract new businesses and more jobs. She will also appear on the Working Families and Green Party lines. The Molinaro Campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Mary Williams is seeking to become the next Dutchess County Clerk. "Dutchess has historically been a Republican county. I'm the president of the Dutchess Democratic Women's Caucus, an organization dedicated to bringing more Democratic women into the political process."
City of Poughkeepsie Judge Katherine Moloney is running for County Court Judge. She's spent more than 24 years in Dutchess' criminal justice system. "I believe that my skills and judicial and legal experience should now take me to the next level, County Court, where the most serious felony matters are litigated.”
Ned McLoughlin, the current Bureau Chief at the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, is challenging Maloney on the Conservative, Independence, Republican and Reform party lines.
Former Assistant Attorney General Lisa Ghartey has her sights set on Family Court Judge. "I know other states have focused upon improving the well-being of families in family court, and I want Dutchess County to be a leader in New York state. Often times the families that come before family court are in crisis, however, if the decision is decided well, with compassion, equity and integrity, I know the families can leave stronger and better."
Republican Tracy MacKenzie is also eyeing the position: "I currently serve in Family Court as Judge Watson’s law clerk, so I’ve had the opportunity to serve in Family Court for the last four years. Prior to that I was representing children and parents and grandparents in family court. I think the most important thing that I bring to the table is that I dedicated my legal career to family law. I’m the only candidate that has tried cases in that court. I’m the only candidate that has represented children."
Former Democratic Congressman John Hall sees the female slate as a "departure from the old boy network" of politics. "It struck me that four women running together as a package, as they are, they're campaigning together and sending out fliers together and so on, and it's really running as a team. I think people are looking for a new, fresh face in Dutchess County, and especially to give competent, qualified women a chance to see how they do."
Dutchess County Republican Committee Chairman Michael McCormick defends the GOP ticket: “We have diversity in terms of our gender, our age, certainly our creed, of all of our candidates, and we look forward to having a successful night next Tuesday with a very, very diverse group of individuals vying very, very hard for their respective positions.”
Here's a link to the roster of Dutchess County candidates :
http://www.dutchesselections.com/Running_For_Office_/Current_Candidates.html#county
