Another Primary? We just had one in June!
YES! You read that right! New York has a SECOND primary election this year (in addition to the primary that was held in June for federal offices) and it is on a THURSDAY. Thursday, September 13, to be precise, and polls will be open from 12:00 noon until 9:00 pm. This is the primary where we will choose candidates for state and local offices, specifically Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, County Sheriff, and State Senator.
Here is the sample ballot for Gardiner Democrats.
It is critical (for why, see below) for everyone to vote at their local polling places between noon and 9 pm on Thursday, September 13 to cast their primary votes. If you are/can vote by absentee ballot, please be aware that the last day for you to postmark an APPLICATION for an absentee ballot is September 6.
The last day to APPLY for an absentee ballot IN PERSON at the Ulster County Board of Elections (284 Wall Street, Kingston, NY 12401) is September 12.
The last day to deliver an absentee ballot to the Ulster County Board of Elections is 9:00 pm on primary election day, September 13.
Any questions about voting in Ulster County can be answered by visiting the website of the Board of Elections.
Who Should I Vote For In This Primary Election?
The Gardiner Democratic Committee has made two endorsements for the September 13 Primary Election: Juan Figueroa for County Sheriff and Jen Metzger for State Senator
Juan Figueroa for Ulster County Sheriff
Juan Figueroa
Juan is a 40-year resident of Ulster County, having moved with his family to Plattekill when he was a boy. He is a 22-year combat veteran in the United States Marine Corps. Juan served for 25 years in the New York State Police where he served in key leadership positions as a police academy instructor, field training officer, and an investigator with the Bureau of Criminal investigations where he worked to stop drug cartels, economic crime, corruption, racketeering, extortion and other crimes. Juan believes is law enforcement and communities working as a team to tackle the opioid abuse problem. Juan will bring true Democratic values to the Sheriff’s Office.
Juan’s opponent is the incumbent Ulster County Sheriff, Paul Van Blarcum, who is seeking a fourth term after having embarrassed the office by posting blatantly right-wing posts on the County Sheriff’s Facebook page and behaved contrary to our Democratic values through a number of his actions including exhorting all pistol owners to bring their weapons to work with them, instituted discriminatory warrant checks on all citizens entering the county building, and working hand-in-glove with ICE to locate and arrest undocumented aliens. Although he is a registered Democrat, Van Blarcum is also running as a Republican and will appear on the Republican line in November. He even proudly had his picture taken with Donald Trump. At the County Democratic Convention, Juan Figueroa received 85 percent of the delegates’ votes for sheriff. However, the incumbent was able to get on the primary ballot anyway. It is time for a change at the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. Vote for the Gardiner Democratic Committee’s endorsee, Juan Figueroa for Sheriff on September 13!
Jen Metzger for State Senator
Jen Metzger
This year the incumbent Republican State Senator for the 42nd district, John Bonacic, is retiring after 20 years in office. Running to replace Bonacic is Jen Metzger a longtime Democratic activist, Rosendale Town Council member, and co-founder of Citizens for Local Power a community-based organization working to reduce energy costs for citizens and governments. She has spent a ton of time working in Albany on these energy issues and understands how Albany works. Like Juan Figueroa, Jen Metzger is a figure of immense integrity as well as someone who lives her Democratic values every day. Jen is running against Pramilla Malick a Democratic activist from Orange County primarily known as the founder of Protect Orange County, a community organization leading the opposition of the CPV fracked gas power plant.
The race to replace Bonacic as State Senator in the 42nd district is key because of the slim Republican majority in the State Senate that has prevented many key pieces of Democratic legislation from becoming law. It is critical that we choose the strongest candidate possible to face the Republican nominee, Orange County Clerk, Anne Rabbit and take the majority in the New York State Senate. The Gardiner Democratic Committee strongly endorses Jen Metzger for State Senator.
The Gardiner Democratic Committee has made no endorsements for Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Attorney General. Here are the websites of the candidates:
For Governor
Andrew Cuomo
Cynthia Nixon
For Lieutenant Governor
Kathy Hochul
Jumaane Williams
For Attorney General
Zephyr Teachout
Sean Patrick Maloney
Letitia James
Leecia Eve
One more time: Please don’t forget to vote in the Democratic Primary on Thursday, September 13!