Peter Matera won the Republican Party’s unofficial nomination for county surrogate judge by an almost 2-1 margin at convention in Port Ewen Thursday night.In weighted voting cast by 148 of 229 committee members, Matera got 6,390 votes to Esopus town councilman Kyle Barnett’s 3,724. Both candidates are from Esopus.
Matera, an assistant public defender, called for party unity in a brief acceptance speech. Barnett said he would “probably” contest the nomination at primary in September.
About 175 persons attended the convention at the Mirage Restaurant.
Endorsements were also given to the county’s four state senators and three of four Assembly members. All endorsements were unofficial. Candidates are formally nominated through the petition process.
Democrats will meet in Kingston next Thursday at convention.
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