Democrats Claim Victory in State Senate

By Holly Crocco

During the Nov. 3 mid-term elections, in New York State Senate District 39 which represents Putnam, Dutchess, and Orange counties, Democrat Lisa Kaul defeated incumbent Republican Robert Rolison, securing more than 55 percent of the vote in all three counties.

In Putnam, as of Friday, Kaul received 6,132 ballots, compared to Rolison’s 4,296.

“This victory belongs to the people of the Hudson Valley and to everyone who believed in our vision and helped make it possible,” said Kaul. “I ran for the State Senate because our communities deserve leaders who will stand up for them and fight for a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive… I look forward to building a Hudson Valley where working families can afford to stay, our children can thrive, and every community has a voice.”

Rolison thanked constituents for their support and faith in him through the years.

“While tonight’s results are not what we had hoped for, I am incredibly grateful to the people of the Hudson Valley who have placed their trust in me and given me the honor of serving them,” he said in his concession speech.

“Throughout my time in public service, I have always believed that putting people over politics, working across party lines, and doing what is right for our communities matters more than any political agenda,” he said. “That belief has never wavered, and it never will… It has been the honor of my life to serve this community.”

In Senate District 40, incumbent Pete Harckham, D-Peekskill, won re-election against Republican challenger Sergio Esposito. While he trailed Esposito in Putnam County 47 to 53 percent (15,031 to 16,773 votes) and in Rockland County 45 to 55 percent, he made up for those numbers in Westchester.

As of Friday, in Westchester, he secured 67 percent of the vote, compared to Esposito’s 33 percent.

This will be Harckham’s fifth term in office.

According to Harckham’s campaign, he won every town in Putnam except Carmel, and significantly improved his performance in Rockland County from 2024. That year, he beat his opponent by just over 10,000 votes.

In a video filmed Thursday morning, Harckham thanked volunteers and voters for their support. “The increased margins also is a testament to the fabulous work that the Senate team has done over the years,” he said. “They work for you. They’re public servants. They deserve a lot of credit as well.”