Political digest

The following items come from press releases from the campaigns of people seeking office in November. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order:



Noreen Fee Calderin

Town of New Windsor Justice Noreen Fee Calderin has secured the endorsements of both the Republican and Conservative Parties for this November’s election for the Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District.

She also has been endorsed by the Orange County Police Chief’s Association, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department P.B.A., the New York State Trooper’s P.B.A., the Town of New Windsor P.B.A., Town of Newburgh P.B.A. and Village of Washingtonville P.B.A. as well as the Affiliated Police Association of Westchester County and New York State F.O.P.

Calderin has been rated as highly qualified by the Orange County Bar Association.



Nan Hayworth

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Nan Hayworth, a Republican, has been endorsed for re-election to the House from New York’s 18th District by ConservAmerica, a Republican group who “share a deep concern for the environment,” according to its Web site (http://conservamerica.org/).

“Nan Hayworth is an outstanding lawmaker who rises above partisanship to address our country’s energy and environmental challenges,” ConservAmerica President Rob Sisson said in the press release announcing the endorsement. “She is a New Yorker who lives up to the conservation tradition established by legendary New Yorker Theodore Roosevelt.

“Nan Hayworth is a thoughtful conservative and a champion of the stewardship ethic at the heart of true conservatism,” Sisson added. “We are proud to endorse her.”



Gerard T. McQuade

Monroe Town Councilman Gerard T. McQuade is the Democratic Party’s candidate for the 98th Assembly District against incumbent Annie Rabbitt. He won the nomination in the Democratic primary on Sept. 13.

He has been endorsed by the Town of Monroe, the City of Port Jervis and Greenville Democratic Committees as well as by Orange County Democratic Committee Chairman Jonathan Jacobson.

He has also been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3, Ironworkers Local 46 and the Communications Workers of America Local 1120.

Monroe Town Board Councilmen Harley Doles, Rick Colon and Dan Burke issued a joint statement endorsing McQuade: “Gerry McQuade has a passion for good government and is an outspoken and independent representative of his constituents. As assemblyman, he will fight for women’s rights, labor’s rights, job development and a fair economic and tax system for all New Yorkers.”



Annie Rabbitt

The Republican-Conservative incumbent assemblywoman from Greenwood Lake has received the endorsement of Uniformed Fire Officers Association, which represents more than 2,500 lieutenants, captains, battalion chiefs, deputy chiefs, supervising fire marshals and medical officers of the New York City Fire Department. The event took place at the 911 Memorial Gazebo at the Millponds in the Village of Monroe.

Rabbitt is running for the 98th Assembly district seat in Albany.

She also has been endorsed by the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and the Laborer’s Local 17 Political Action Committee in her re-election bid.

The council represents 28 trade locals and more 25,000 union members. The political action committee represents more than 1,200 union members

“We wish Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt success in the upcoming election and look forward to her support on issues that affect our members as well as all working people,” L. Todd Diorio, president of the Hudson Valley Building and Construction Trades Council and Business Manager of Laborer’s Local 17, said in a press release announcing the endorsement.



Kyle Roddey

Kyle Roddey, the mayor of Goshen running for the 99th Assembly district seat, has been endorsed by New York State Rifle and Pistol Association.

“Kyle Roddey will be a voice for sportsmen and gun owners in Albany,” Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said in the press release announcing the endorsement. “He is a worthy successor to Nancy Calhoun and we need to send Kyle to Albany, as he will be a steadfast advocate for our constitutional freedoms.”



James Skoufis

The Woodbury Town Councilman, a Democrat running for the state Assembly in the 99th district, has been endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which works to make environmental sustainability a top political and policy priority in New York State.

“More than ever, the Hudson Valley needs thoughtful elected leaders who seek ways to protect the environment while making government more efficient,” Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said in the press release announcing the endorsement. “James Skoufis is exactly the kind of leader we need in Albany, and we encourage voters who care about the environment and a clean-energy future to support him for election on November 6th.”

Skoufis also has been endorsed by Tom Pahucki, the Orange County Legislator for District 21, which includes the towns of Chester and Goshen as well as the Villages of Chester and Goshen.

“I fully support James Skoufis and believe he is the right man to represent us in Albany,” Pahucki said in the press release announcing the endorsement.” James understands that attracting good-paying jobs is the number one priority and I believe James can deliver. He will start by repealing the job-killing MTA payroll tax that has for too long unfairly handcuffed our small businesses and by fighting to stop the Thruway Authority from raising commercial tolls. In addition, James understands that our agricultural community needs a representative in Albany who will work for our farming community. James is also a candidate that believes in our Second Amendment rights and will fight for our hunters and sportsmen.”