Fourteen months into a two-year term, our elected officials are required to commit to running for reelection. Some are doing so; some are not. With only five days left before designating petitions must be filed with the Board of Elections, here's how the field looks:
Mayor It is assumed that Kamal Johnson will be running for a second term. So far, no one has emerged to challenge him.
Common Council President It is assumed that Tom DePietro will be running for a third term. So far, no one has emerged to challenge him.
City Treasurer Heather Campbell, who has ably served the City as treasurer since 2014, is being challenged by Michael Hofmann, who has been endorsed by the Working Families Party.
FIRST WARD
Supervisor Sarah Sterling, who has served as First Ward supervisor since 2012, announced last month she would not be seeking reelection. Claire Cousin, who has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, appears to be the only candidate running for this office.
Aldermen Rebecca Wolff, who is serving her first term as alderman, has made it known she does not intend to seek reelection. Art Frick, a newcomer to Hudson politics, has announced his intention to run for First Ward alderman. He may be the only candidate, since Jane Trombley, who like Wolff is serving her first term in office, has not yet committed to seeking reelection.
SECOND WARD
Supervisor Tiffany Garriga, who has been an alderman in the Second Ward since 2014, is now challenging Abdus Miah, who is seeking his third term as Second Ward supervisor. Garriga has been endorsed by the Working Families Party.
Aldermen It is assumed that Dewan Sarowar will be seeking a third term as Second Ward alderman. There has been no confirmation that anyone else intends to run for alderman in the Second Ward.
THIRD WARD
Supervisor It is assumed that Michael Chameides, who has been Third Ward supervisor since 2018 and currently also serves as mayor's aide, will be seeking a third term as supervisor.
Aldermen Both Third Ward aldermen--Calvin Lewis and Shershah Mizan--were first elected in 2017. It is assumed that Lewis will be seeking a third term. It is not clear. at this point, if Mizan will be.
FOURTH WARD
Supervisor Linda Mussmann, who has served as Fourth Ward supervisor since 2018, will be seeking a third term.
Aldermen It appears that John Rosenthal, who has served as Fourth Ward alderman since 2018, will not be seeking a third term. Malachi Walker, who is serving this first term, is seeking reelection. Theo Anthony, who now serves on the Police Advisory and Reconciliation Committee, has confirmed his intention to run.
FIFTH WARD
Supervisor Rick Scalera, who has held the position since 2012, is assumed to be running for reelection.
Aldermen Eileen Halloran, who was first elected in 2017, has made it known that she will not be seeking a third term. Dominic Merante, who also was elected in 2017, does intent to run again. Also running for alderman in the Fifth Ward is Rebecca Borrer.
In 2019, we nearly found out what happens if there are not enough candidates running to fill all the positions--never mind choice. This year, we may actually find out. But there is still time for people interested in serving their community to get on the ballot.
Designating petitions are due next week. Petitions must be submitted to the Board of Elections between Monday, March 22, and Thursday, March 25. Granted that doesn't leave much time, but the bar for signatures on those petitions is very low. For those considering a run for supervisor or alderman, here are the number of signatures, by ward, you will need:
First Ward 11
Second Ward 8
Third Ward 9
Fourth Ward 9
Fifth Ward 7
Here's the ward map, in case you don't know which ward you live in.
If you are thinking of running for a citywide office--mayor, Council president, treasurer--you will need 42 signatures. Best practice is to get at least twice as many signatures as you need, in case some of your signers are disqualified.
You can call the Board of Elections bright and early on Monday morning for guidance and help. The office opens at 8:00 a.m. The number is 518 828-3115.
COPYRIGHT 2021 CAROLE OSTERINK
It's time Hudson was looking for a qualified City Manager and get rid of these fake politicans and wannabes.
ReplyDeleteThat would require a change to the City Charter. While at it, there might as well be a reduction to 5 Common Council members (down from 10) and, if the change can be made by the City and not the County, a single supervisor.
DeleteAmending the charter means a referendum, but it can be done. Fair and Equal was just a few short years ago, remember.
As Hudson grows, it would be nice to have competent, trained management professionals running municipal departments so we don't have the enormous cost overruns, poor planning, or HR issues we see today. Long-term, Hudson would be a better-run, more financially sound city able to serve its citizens.
Having said that, someone has to get the ball rolling.
Thanks, Carole, for posting this. 3 additions:
ReplyDelete1-The numbers listed above are for the Democratic line. If you wish to run on another party line, there are different signature requirements, based on the number of enrolled party members in that ward (or in the city, depending on the position.) If you wish to petition to run on the line of a party to which you do not belong, you will need a Wilson-Pakula from that party. BOE reps should be able to explain in more detail;
2- The Board of Elections will provide candidates with walking lists of registered party members (often with contact info) to make signature gathering easier. Even without the list, it's easy to knock out the requirements in an afternoon (though I am not encouraging procrastination. Registered party members can also carry the petitions for you. If you have questions, I am happy to direct you to the right resource.
3- The Hudson City Democratic Committee is also up for election, all 10 seats. The requirement is not even that you live in Hudson, just in the State Assembly District, and the signature requirements are the same as the Common Council seats.
If you would like to help steer the public discourse to encourage more competent local leadership, I encourage you to run. There were recent vacancies in the First, Third, and Fourth wards (now filled, possibly by a non-resident) but I strongly encourage anyone unhappy with our current leadership and willing to invest some time in charting a better course for the community to consider running. The Fifth Ward, in particular, had been in need of new representation on the Committee for years.
*has. The issue is ongoing.
Delete