Putnam Dems Gearing Up for 2025 Elections

While new Republican leadership settles in at the White House, across the country, Democrats are making their voices heard to ensure their values are represented at every level of government. In Putnam, there are an unprecedented number of Democratic candidates stepping up to run for office – notably in areas where they do not currently have a seat at the table.

The infighting between the county executive and the different Republican factions of the Putnam Legislature have created headlines. In response, Democrats are fielding candidates in all three county legislative districts that are up for election in November.

In district nine representing Mahopac, Lenny Harrington will seek election.

Harrington is a union electrician in Local 3 working as a senior project manager where he leads large teams and manages multi-million-dollar budgets. He and his wife have two adult sons and have lived in Mahopac for 25 years, where they are both involved in community activities. In his spare time, he is a stained-glass artist and restores cars and motorcycles.

District nine is currently represented by Republican Erin Crowley. It has been reported that fellow Republican Trish Simone, who served as chief of staff for former County Executive MaryEllen Odell, plans to wage a primary race.

In district five representing Carmel and part of Kent, Brett Yarris is stepping up to the plate.

Yarris is an entrepreneur and small business owner working in sports training and behavior analysis. He provides unique training services to children with special needs, as well as to professional athletes. Previously, Yarris was co-owner and chief strategy officer for Pro Football Network, where he developed an above-average rate of success in predicting game outcomes using behavioral analytics.

He has lived in Carmel for 10 years with his wife, a Carmel native, and their two small children.

District five is currently represented by Republican Greg Ellner.

In district six representing Southeast, Thomas Sprague will seek election.

Sprague owns Bob’s Diner in Brewster, which was originally founded by his grandfather in 1955, and where he has worked since the age of 19. He is well known to his customers from all over the area and respected by all those who have gone through his doors.

Sprague lives in the Lake Tonetta area with his wife and young children.

District six is currently represented by Republican Paul Jonke, who announced in January that he will not be seeking re-election.

At the town level, Putnam Dems are enthusiastically supporting incumbent Philipstown Supervisor John VanTassel, incumbent Putnam Valley Highway Superintendent Shawn Keeler, and incumbent Kent Town Councilmember Anne Campbell.

In all, there are Democrats running for 17 different positions across each of the six towns in Putnam.

Anyone interested in signing a petition or supporting these candidates may mail info@putnamdemocrats.com or a local town committee. For more information, visit putnamdemocrats.com.