Party bullish on Putnam executive race

When David Bruen defeated three other candidates in 1978 to become Putnam's first-ever county executive, he also became the only Democrat to ever occupy the office.

In nearly five decades, a succession of Democratic candidates failed to surmount the Republican advantage in party registration and their candidates' traditional support from the Conservative Party. But Democrats are hoping the dry spell will end this year as Brett Yarris challenges incumbent Republican Kevin Byrne.

Their hopes are bolstered by Democrats performance in last year's election, when the party gained control of legislatures in Dutchess and Orange counties and defeated Republicans in other state and local races in New York and nationally amid flagging support for President Donald Trump and his policies.

Opposition to Trump and fervor over winning the congressional seat held by Rep. Mike Lawler, whose district includes Philipstown, are expected to drive high local turnout for Democratic voters.

Byrne could also be harmed by the Putnam Conservative Party's endorsement of its chair, attorney William Spain, for county executive. If Spain, a former county attorney and the brother of county attorney Compton Spain, stays in the race, it could deprive Byrne of Conservative votes that have usually aided Republicans.

As of February, Republicans still held an advantage over Democrats in active-voter registration: 24,723 versus 22,080. Another 21,235 active voters are unaffiliated; 2,777 are designated as "other"; 1,689 are Conservative Party members; and 292 belong to the left-leaning Working Families Party.

"Democrats are rightfully ticked off; frankly, a lot of independents are also rightfully ticked off, and even some Republicans," said Jennifer Colamonico, chair of the Putnam Democratic Committee. "Of all the years to bank on a Democratic overperformance, it's this one."

"We've seen this kind of talk before, but elections in Putnam County aren't decided by press releases or predictions," said Joe Nickischer, Byrne's campaign spokesperson. "Others can talk about confidence. We'll keep focusing on results."

Asked about Spain's endorsement as the Conservative candidate, Nickischer said Byrne has "a broad coalition of support from Republicans, Conservatives, independents and common-sense Democrats" and has amassed endorsements from "organizations representing families, taxpayers, first responders and labor."

Byrne "has outperformed every candidate on the ballot in every election he has run," said Nickischer. "The Conservative Party has time to finalize its own internal process and figure out what it needs to do to accurately represent Conservative voters. Those voters already know and support Kevin Byrne."

Putnam Legislature

It's an unusual year for the Legislature: There will be no incumbents on the ballot. The three open seats are held by Republicans who are not running for re-election.

In District 2, which includes most of Putnam Valley, William Gouldman cannot run due to term limits. The Democrats have endorsed Maia Gilleo, a small business owner, while Christian Russo, a Town Board member, is the Republican candidate.

In District 3, which includes Kent and Patterson, the Democrats endorsed Kathy Kahng, a small-business owner who lost in 2023 to incumbent Toni Addonizio, who cannot run due to term limits. Joseph Cunningham and Jorma Tompuri will face off in a primary on June 23 for the Republican line. Cunningham has been endorsed by the Conservative Party.

In District 8, which includes Mahopac, Gwen Burke has been endorsed by the Democrats for the seat held by Amy Sayegh, who is not running for re-election. The Republicans endorsed Carmel council member Frank Lombardi, while the Conservatives backed Tanner McCracken, a Mahopac school board trustee.

Yarris, a former special education teacher who now provides services to people with special needs, said he also has a base of support that goes beyond his party. He said th...