Before a standing room only crowd in the Town of Cornwall courtroom, Chris Eachus was sworn in, on Saturday, for his second term as assemblyman for District 99.

“What I do up in Albany is based on you,” Eachus said showing his appreciation for those who attended the afternoon ceremony. “Keep me, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobsen, and State Senator James Skoufis informed. Call us. You can’t bug us too much. That’s the job I was sworn into.”

Eachus holds bachelor’s degrees from SUNY Cortland and Cornel University and a master’s from SUNY New Paltz. He graduated with degrees in physics, military sciences, and elementary education. He is one of the few who have the unique distinction of being qualified to teach nursery school through 12th grade, but Eachus went on to teach high school for much of his career and in 2015 retired from Newburgh Free Academy following a 25-year career in education.

Although his family didn’t have a political background, in 2000 he was influenced to run by his wife’s family, shortly after his father-in-law left the Orange County Legislature. In 2006, Eachus ran for the same position and went on to serve three four-year terms before retiring.

When the assemblyman seat opened in the 2022 election, Eachus decided he had the experience to represent the citizens of New Windsor, Cornwall, Woodbury, West Point/Town of Highlands, a majority of Monroe including Harriman, and Stony Point.

Councilwoman Virginia Scott presided over the affair as the master of ceremonies stating those present were not there to celebrate as individuals, but because they shared a vision for a brighter future. Guests included state and local officials and representatives from the Orange County Legislature, Congressman Pat Ryan’s office, the Town and Village of Woodbury, the Town of Cornwall, and the Town of Monroe. Rev. Mary Lou Baumgarner, pastor for the King of Kings Church in New Windsor, provided the benediction before Skoufis was invited to speak.

The senator started off with a joke mentioning Eachus’ first victory two years ago by eight votes earned him the nickname, Chris “The Landslide” Eachus, in Albany. The assemblyman beat his most recent opponent by 7,000 votes.

Skoufis said there are two types of people who serve as state legislators - those who go to make a point and those who choose to make policy. The first tend to yell, debate philosophical viewpoints, put on a show, and do little for the citizens of New York.

“Then there are those like Chris who go up to Albany to do the hard work,” Skoufis said. “Chris is a workhorse, not a show horse in the state legislature. It’s wonderful, heartening, and relieving to know that after a couple of terms of having to deal with a show horse prior to Chris’ election, it’s so wonderful to have a real, true partner on behalf of the communities we mutually represent in the assembly and the senate.”

Town of Cornwall Judge Lynn Beesecker was asked to perform the oath of office while Eachus’ wife, Kim, held a Bible.

“I did things you needed and solved problems we have together,” Eachus said, thanking Kim for being the pillar behind him, supporting the decision to run for office. “I want to keep doing that.”

Once the ceremony concluded, Eachus’ constituents lined up to greet the assemblyman or pose for photos.