A blue wave swept across Dutchess County on Tuesday, carrying Democratic candidates to victory in every major contested race and flipping control of the County Legislature for the first time since 2008. With all districts reporting, Democrats will hold a 15–10 majority, ending nearly two decades of Republican control in county government.
The results included wins by Comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair, County Court Judge Kara Gerry, and County Legislator Chris Drago. The only Republican to win a countywide post was Tracy MacKenzie, who ran unopposed for Family Court Judge.
In Northern Dutchess County, Democrat Chris Drago was reelected to represent District 19 with 2,359 votes (60%), defeating Republican challenger Tonya Pulver, who received 1,584 votes (40%). The district covers much of northeastern Dutchess, including Pine Plains, North East, Milan, Millerton and part of Red Hook.
“I have worked hard to listen to voters in our district to learn what they need and to deliver,” Drago said in a statement to The Herald. “I’m extremely proud and humbled to be re-elected with this mandate to keep delivering for our district. We need to lower costs and improve basic needs for our community such as mental health, affordable housing, transportation and EMS.”
Aymar-Blair, the incumbent comptroller, was reelected with 40,358 votes (55%) to 32,997 (45%) for Republican challenger William Truitt, according to unofficial results from the Dutchess County Board of Elections. Aymar-Blair appeared on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, while Truitt ran on the Republican and Conservative lines.
In the County Court Judge race, Democrat Kara Gerry defeated Republican Edward Ned McLoughlin, receiving 40,964 votes (56%) to McLoughlin’s 32,209 (44%). Gerry also appeared on the Working Families line, while McLoughlin ran on the Republican and Conservative lines.
Republican Tracy MacKenzie was elected Family Court Judge with 43,633 votes, running unopposed. A total of 618 write-in votes were cast.
Democrats also led the multi-seat State Supreme Court Justice contests. Diane M. Clerkin received 42,544 votes, John P. Collins Jr. earned 41,224, Verris B. Shako tallied 40,857, and Desmond C. Lyons had 37,846. Their Republican opponents — George A. Smith (28,059), Thomas Humbach (26,682) and Kiel E. Van Horn (26,475) — trailed by wide margins.
Results are unofficial pending certification by the Dutchess County Board of Elections.