News & Press

WINNING TOWN VICTORIES IN PHILIPSTOWN, PATTERSON, PUTNAM VALLEY.

Democrats around the nation notched resounding victories this week - many in direct response to the failure of Republican leadership at all levels of government. The incumbent President's failure to lower prices, increase safety or provide affordable healthcare, all while tipping billions of our national treasure into the wealthiest pockets, is only made worse by the members of congress and elected officials that enable him. To that, Democratic voters have sent a clear message.

Democrats in Putnam made their voices heard too, in numbers and ways that put cracks in the ceiling of an entrenched one-party system. Aided by a last minute infusion of mailers paid for by NY State Republicans to drag their one candidate across the finish line, they did eke out narrow wins in what are usually deep red districts who seem to be hungry for change. 

Democrats fielded 18 talented candidates across Putnam’s six towns, winning several new seats in local government, and coming closer than ever to victory in other races, some still to be decided by final absentee ballot counts:

• Preliminary results indicate a win for Patterson Town Council candidates Stacy Dumont and Gwen Dougherty, who were ahead when the polls closed and have retained a lead as outstanding absentee ballots are counted. Voters re-elected Mary Delanoy as Receiver of Taxes.

• In Putnam Valley, candidates for Town Supervisor and Town Council pulled into the lead as outstanding absentee -ballots were counted. Voters re-elected Shawn Keeler as Highway Superintendent.

• All three Putnam County legislative candidates lost by very small margins.

  • Thomas Sprague’s loss margin is down to ~31 votes in District 6.  

  • In District 5, the waning days of the election brought a bail out by the state Republican party who sent three mailers on behalf of the young candidate, as well as text messages from Mike Lawler himself, bizarrely decrying socialism. Still, Brett Yarris only lost by 140 votes.

  • In District 9, the most Republican legislative district, Lenny Harrington only lost by 201 votes, even though the Republican voter registration advantage there is 2:1. 

• Carmel and Kent town candidates won the highest number of votes in recent history, particularly town board candidate Brett Wieland. Alex Sewell lost the Kent Supervisor race by ~105 votes.

• Philipstown continues to be led by Democrats, who overcame a contentious primary and waltzed across the finish line with a unity ticket.

These results show that Republicans across Putnam should be on notice:  Putnam is on the map for Democrats, who are winning more hearts and minds - and votes - every cycle. Voters at the doors complained about high cost of living, the distraction of Republican bickering, showing increasing dissatisfaction with one party rule that spends more time on photo ops and cat fights, rather than improving the quality of life in Putnam. Voters feel that Putnam is in decline - aging population, losing jobs, and stagnant, costs outpacing wages. The current leaders lack vision and are more focused on gaining political advantage for themselves rather than serving their constituents. 

A recent change in voting laws which moves many local elections to even years will change the election dynamics so more of our voters can have a say in local government in 2026. The ballot will be extremely long, including federal, state, county, and local races. Democrats will continue to answer the call by bringing forth experienced, reasonable candidates who are stepping up to make government work better for the people, not just their powerful friends.

Putnam Democrats will now turn our attention to the 2026 ballot - with a competitive NY-17 race, continuing to march against the County Executive and his legislative puppets, ensuring New York State leadership stays in Democratic hands, plus the many local races that will now be on the 2026 ballot. We are reading to harness the passion and energy of our Democratic voting base, working to move Putnam forward. We will host a candidate recruitment event on December 6th in the morning - contact info@putnamdemocrats.com for details.

It is important to point out that several hundred more Democrats voting in local elections would have radically changed the outcome. Turnout was good, but we invite Democrats who stayed home to really contemplate the difference they could have made…and recommit themselves to a plan to vote next time. Any Democrats who are disappointed in these results are invited to join a local Democratic committee, volunteer to help a candidate, or run for office to be part of the positive change we seek.

We congratulate the winners and wish them much success.