It’s official: Marc Molinaro is running for Assembly

CATSKILL―Throwing down the gauntlet to New York State leadership, Marc Molinaro has been endorsed as the Greene County Republican Committee candidate for the 102nd Assembly District.

Molinaro was officially nominated Saturday during the county GOP convention in Catskill, ending weeks of speculation that he would be entering the race.

He had been serving as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration before announcing last week that he was stepping down effective Friday, February 20.

While that appeared to confirm ongoing rumors of his interest in the Assembly seat, nothing was confirmed until he was nominated Saturday morning by Greene County Legislative Majority Leader Matthew Luvera.

Luvera, noting Molinaro’s federal-level efforts, said, “Marc felt the call to come back home to be with us and his family, and to bring that same fight to Albany that we work for each and every day for the people of this great Assembly district. God knows that Albany needs Marc right now.”

“It has been a dream responsibility to serve with [President] Donald Trump,” said Molinaro, who has worked in nation’s capital since last August, previously serving two years as congressman in the 19th Congressional District.

“Having spent three years in Washington around some people who think they are powerful, they aren’t,” Molinaro added.

“They forget it is ‘We the People’ who are this government. They make decisions without concerns for what happens to real people,” he said.

“The real work happens at home. There are farmers that need help. Small businesses are overregulated. That is all too important to just sit on the sidelines,” Molinaro said.

Turning his focus to the Democrat-dominated State legislature, Molinaro said, “one-party rule in Albany has eroded our state.”

“We have the highest burden of taxes in the country, not because of Washington but because of Albany,” he said. “They say they will go there and fix it. They are the ones who broke it. They want the responsibility to fix it. They caused the problem.”

“I am getting back there to lift up my neighbors,” said Molinaro, who lives in Catskill with his wife and four children.

“That is a fight worth having,” he added.

“I think New York is worth saving. I hope we can win in November. I think we can,” Molinaro said.

Molinaro has been in public office since the age of 18 when he was elected to the Village of Tivoli Board of Trustees. A year later, Tivoli voters elected him the youngest mayor in the country at the time.

He served four terms in the Dutchess County Legislature and represented the 103rd District in the New York State Assembly from 2006 to 2011. He was elected Dutchess County Executive in 2011, serving until 2023 when he stepped down to serve in Congress.

In 2018, Molinaro was also the GOP nominee for governor, losing to Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo.

Molinaro is now vying to replace Chris Tague who is leaving the Assembly after eight years to seek the State Senate 51st District seat.

Republicans have controlled the 102nd Assembly chair since 1973 and will face competition from whomever survives what is expected to be a three-way primary battle later this year among Democratic candidates. They include Delhi Village Trustee Janet Tweed, Town of Cairo Democratic Chairwoman Mary Finneran and Catskill Village Trustee Thomas Boomhower.

The district covers all of Greene and Schoharie counties, along with parts of Delaware, Albany, Otsego and Ulster counties.

Molinaro’s eleventh hour appearance abruptly ended the campaigns of two previously announced candidates: Windham Town Supervisor Thomas Hoyt and Richard Amedure of Rensselaerville.

Acknowledging both Hoyt and Amedure, Molinaro said, “I wish I had come to a conclusion [to run] sooner. It wouldn’t’ have caused anger and angst.”

“They are two good men who deserve to be in public office. Life throws you a lot of curveballs. God reminds you of what’s important,” Molinaro said.

The local GOP also gave their support to Peter Oberacker who is leaving the State Senate 51st District to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 19th Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Josh Riley.

Oberacker, nominated by Sheriff Peter Kusminsky, made Catskill one of several stops on his campaign trail Saturday, telling a story about recently receiving a telephone call from President Donald Trump.

“I got on the phone and it was the president. I had to gather myself. It was exciting. We talked a little bit,” Oberacker said. “The president said to me, “I hear you are soon going to be Congressman Oberacker. Welcome.’ He has endorsed me.”

“This will be a campaign of inches. Every inch is important. I am asking you to join me in finding those inches to propel this campaign forward,” Oberacker continued. “The inches become a foot and then a yard. That will determine this campaign. I am leaning on all of you to propel me to Washington.”

County GOP committee members also nominated candidates for two county seats: district attorney and coroner.

Jeffrey Low earned the nod for district attorney. He is the current chief assistant district attorney under Joseph Stanzione who is not seeking reelection after 12 years in office.

Low was challenged by Assistant District Attorney Danielle McIntosh, winning 121-33. See related article.

Low was nominated by former county Sheriff Greg Seeley who said, “the primary job of a DA is to keep the community safe. Jeff has proven his ability to do this and will continue to do this.”

“The reason I am doing this is, this community matters to me. I will be the most aggressive DA this county has ever seen,” Low said.

“I will continue to prosecute violent criminals and send them where they belong: state prison. Drug dealers who kill people belong in one place: state prison,” he added.

“It has been a privilege working with Joe Stanzione nearly all of his time in office. The things he has taught me will help lead the office, going forward,” Low said.

Greene County Democratic Committee Co-chair Lori Torgersen said last week that, “while there is not a clear Democratic candidate yet” for district attorney, the party is “actively exploring possibilities.”

John “JR” Delvecchio was picked to run to be one of the county’s four coroners. He is a lifelong resident of Greene County, retired sheriff’s deputy and husband of County Coroner Breanna Lennon DelVecchio.

County Republicans also gave their support to State Senate 41st District candidate Patrick Sheehan who will be challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Michelle Hinchey.