Ulster County Democratic Convention

This article appeared in the Townsman, June 5 edition

Kingston, June 2 2008

With only the Ulster County comptroller’s race for the Democratic nod providing drama, there were still well over 200 attendees of the Ulster County Democratic Convention held at the Hillside Manor. Ellenville village manager and former mayor Elliot Auerbach edged out Ulster County Legislature chairman David Donaldson 12,653 to 10,427 weighted votes cast by Democratic Party committee members representing all Ulster County municipalities. Donaldson after the tally was announced informed the convention he would decide within a couple of days whether to challenge Auerbach in a September primary.

Before the comptroller contest Maurice Hinchey was unanimously endorsed to run again for New York’s 22nd Congressional District. After serving sixteen years as congressman and before that almost two decades as the area’s assemblyman in the New York State legislature Hinchey’s popularity among Democrats appeared undiminished as he received an enthusiastic standing ovation after delivering a stem-winding acceptance speech. “I see more real Democrats in this room than I see in Washington,” cracked the congressman. Hinchey also criticized the New York Independence Party in Ulster County for its apparent blanket support of Republican candidates as he stressed the importance of this year’s Ulster County races for county executive and comptroller. Woodstock councilpersons Liz Simonson and Jay Wenk were among the very few to remain seated during the room’s wild approval of his speech (Wenk, as is his custom at Woodstock town board meetings, also remained seated for the pledge of allegiance to the flag). At this point Hinchey does not have a Republican opponent.

Kevin Cahill, unanimously endorsed to retain his seat in the 101st Assembly District, also received a warm reception after an amusing nominating speech by long time Democrat Max Feingold followed by a charming seconding speech by the youthful Allison Wilbur. Cahill cited numerous accomplishments including reform of the criminal justice system, keeping both Kingston hospitals open during severe statewide cutbacks and helping to entice the not-for-profit TSAC Solar Energy Consortium to the area. Cahill was recently appointed to create policy for the Assembly with regard to energy conservation. He expressed very deep concern for the price of home heating fuel and the looming crises facing the area next winter and promised to work hard to avert it. Kevin will face off against Esopus Republican Robin Yess in November.

Frank Skartados was endorsed to run against incumbent Thomas Kirwin for the 100th Assembly District, and Larry Delarose was tapped to try to unseat long time incumbent William Larkin from the 39th Senatorial District. No Democrats came forward to challenge incumbent assemblymen Clifford Crouch and Peter Lopez, respectively from the 107th and 127th Assembly Districts, nor did one stand to challenge incumbent John Bonacic from the 42nd Senatorial District.

The room seemed to sense a moment of history when it came time to endorse Michael Hein, current county administrator, to run for the newly created position of county executive. Ulster County Democratic legislators Dave Donaldson, Sue Zimet and Michael Berardi had announced their intentions to seek the endorsement, but their candidacies faded long before the time of the convention. Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum nominated Hein, stressing his experience and accomplishments, followed by Sara McGinty, wife of family court judge Anthony McGinty, who praised Hein as a “good communicator” able to explain to the people the difficult, complex issues facing the county. After his unanimous endorsement Mr Hein made a passionate speech that got the crowd to its feet with his promise to make Ulster County a “model county in New York State” and “the best place to raise a family.” Hein commented after his speech, “It is exciting to see the Democratic Party come together for the sake of Ulster County’s future. I feel I am uniquely qualified to be the first county executive.” Hein will face Independence Party member Len Bernardo, a Town of Lloyd businessman also endorsed by the Republicans, in the November election.

Then came the showdown between Donaldson and Auerbach. Each candidate took liberties with the time limit on speeches, Donaldson concentrating more on the details of the comptroller’s position and Auerbach hewing pretty much to broad generalities. To Donaldson’s self-description as a “liberal Democrat” Auerbach came back with his folksy “visits to the county’s barns, backrooms and bistros.” Both candidates spoke of their qualifications, Donaldson of his intimate knowledge of the county’s governmental apparatus and Auerbach of his “thirty years of management experience.” When the speeches were over there was no sense of how the room would go, and the matter wasn’t settled until after almost forty-five minutes of balloting and counting.

After hearing Donaldson suggest the possibility of a September primary, Auerbach told the convention “we must continue working together, side by side… to show what the Ulster County Democrats can do.” Bringing Michael Hein to his side at the podium, Auerbach continued, “Let’s go knock the living heck out of the Republicans.” He later commented, “It’s been a tough three weeks, but I believe my message was heard by Ulster County Democrats.”

Asked how he felt about the looming contest in November, Ulster County Democratic Party Chairman John Parete said, “The Republicans have to stop their bleeding,” referring the county Republican setbacks in recent elections. “They are going to work very hard for these positions. It will be a full bore campaign, and we better be ready.”

The convention, which had started at 7:10, adjourned a little after 10:00 pm.