It’s Official: Dems Take Put Valley & Patterson Seats

By Holly Crocco

The absentee ballots have been counted and the results are in, with Democrats officially gaining victories in a couple of key town races in Putnam County.

While the 2025 election took place Nov. 4, absentee ballots were accepted by the Putnam County Board of Elections through Nov. 12.

According to the numbers posted Nov. 14, Putnam Valley incumbent Republican Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi was defeated by Democrat Alison Jolicoeur by 23 votes (1,477 to 1,454).

For Putnam Valley Town Board, Republican incumbent Christian Russo was the top vote-getter, with 1,550 votes, while Democrat C.J. Brooks unseated incumbent Republican Stacey Tompkins by a vote of 1,536 to 1,505.

In the Town of Patterson, Democrats Stacy Dumont and Gwen Dougherty secured their victories, with 1,101 and 1,083 votes, respectively, unseating Republicans Joseph Esposito and Mary Smith, who received 1,048 and 1,020 votes.

For Kent Town Board, incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Anne Campbell came out on top with 1,680 votes, with Republican Eileen Olifiers grabbing the other seat, with 1,640 votes – unseating incumbent Republican Jorma Tompuri by only nine votes. Democrat Becca Niitzel received 1,466 votes.

With the absentee ballots counted, the Putnam County Democratic Committee celebrated its party’s victories.

“Last week’s elections were more successful than we have seen in a long time,” it wrote. “Across Putnam, Democratic candidates won 11 of the 18 races we contested – that is a 61 percent win rate.”

Also according to the committee, a recent change in voting laws that moves many local elections to even years will change the election dynamics, so more voters can have a say in local government in 2026. The ballot will be long, including federal, state, county, and local races.