The Gardiner Democratic Committee has announced its endorsements of candidates for municipal and county offices in 2021. The nominating process will be different this year, however, as Covid-19 continues to rage.
Traditionally, the group holds a caucus at Town Hall in May or June, with 100 or more local Democrats in attendance. Noting that such a public gathering might well still be “too risky” this spring, Gardiner party chair Tom Kruglinski announced that the committee had voted to hold a primary instead, to nominate candidates in contested 2021 town elections.
In a press release, Kruglinski also cited “the added benefit of allowing voters greater access to the ballot on multiple days: on early voting days (June 12-June 20) as well as on Primary Election Day (Tuesday, June 22).”
Endorsements by the Gardiner Democratic Committee for local races in 2021 include Tracey Bartels to represent County Legislature District 16, March Gallagher for Ulster County comptroller, Marybeth Majestic for Gardiner town supervisor, Warren Wiegand and Carol Richman for Gardiner Town Board, Robert Rich for Gardiner town justice and Brian Stiscia for Gardiner highway superintendent.
All of the endorsed candidates are incumbents except for Richman, an attorney and Gardiner Planning Board member. She is running for the Town Board seat being vacated by David Dukler, who has decided not to seek another term.