Dutchess County residents battle for 39th Senate seat

By Alberto Gilman
Posted 11/1/22

In the newly created 39th Senate District for the State of New York, Julie Shiroishi [D-Beacon] and Rob Rolison [R-Poughkeepsie] will both be seeking the Senate seat in early November. Both …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Dutchess County residents battle for 39th Senate seat

Posted

In the newly created 39th Senate District for the State of New York, Julie Shiroishi [D-Beacon] and Rob Rolison [R-Poughkeepsie] will both be seeking the Senate seat in early November. Both candidates will be first-time names on the 2022 ballot.

In Orange County, the 39th district includes the City and Town of Newburgh and Town of Montgomery, which also has the Villages of Montgomery, Maybrook and Walden. The portions of Orange County included in the new remapped district were previously represented by Senator James Skoufis [D]. Skoufis, who is seeking re-election this November, will continue to represent the remaining municipalities within Orange County in the 41st District.

Each candidate shared thoughts on the campaign process and addressed issues that they will work on in the state senate.

Julie Shiroishi [D-Beacon]
Newly introduced candidate Julie Shiroishi will be running on the Democratic and Working Families Party Lines in early November. Shiroishi shared that her decision to initially run for this Senate seat had stemmed from the shootings that took place in Buffalo and Uvalde, Texas over the course of the past few months.

According to her biography, Shiroishi was born to an immigrant mother and father, who was a truck driver by trade. Shiroishi has two brothers and her family growing up was part of the unions in the area.

Shiroishi, a first generation college student, went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley and worked in the newspaper and book publishing fields for a time but then took a step back to raise her children with her husband. In 2007, Shiroishi moved to Beacon with her family and has remained since.
Shiroishi’s involvement in the political realm began after the 2016 election season and she later lent her aid to local political candidates. In 2019, Shiroishi was appointed Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson [D-Newburgh].

Shiroishi shared she has actively been out meeting voters in the new district. With the remapping, the ballot this November will not include familiar Senate candidates.

For Shiroishi, her campaign addresses and focuses on issues such as affordable housing as the current Hudson Valley is facing a housing crisis and also addresses economic issues such as job opportunities which can help revitalize the economy. With more jobs available, residents can take those on to work and afford housing in the Hudson Valley.

In addition, Shiroishi discussed that without proper opportunities for youth and unemployed/untrained residents, they may choose to pursue high paying jobs out of the area. “I think we need to encourage partnerships with unions and businesses so we have pathways for our young people, and also to retrain those who are unemployed and underemployed,” Shiroishi said. “The jobs are here, we just have to make sure that we’re preparing our residents to meet them.”

Her campaign also addressed infrastructure needs, such as localized infrastructure for roads and bridges, environmental conservation with the possibility of battery storage in the future and upholding access to abortion protections in the senate as a reuslt of the overturning of Roe v. Wade during the summer months.

“I have been lucky enough to work in state government and really got to learn about constituent services and helping municipalities and understanding the legislative process. I feel that I have a good combination of experience in the private sector and in government,” said Shiroishi. “What I really want people to get out of my candidacy is that there’s not just one type of person who gets into politics. Our government works better when there are more voices, and more of a range of voices at the table.”

Additional information on Shiroishi’s platform can be found at julie4nysenate.com and she looks forward to the early voting and election day periods coming up.

Rob Rolison [R-Poughkeepsie]

Rob Rolison, current mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie, will be running on the Republican line in this year’s ballot, seeking the 39th Senate District seat in November.

According to his biography, Rolison is a long-time resident of Poughkeepsie, where he attended Marist College and graduated with a degree in criminal justice. In 1982, Rolison joined the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

During his law enforcement career, Rolison served 12 years in the Patrol Division and then was promoted to detective and served for 14 years. Rolison had also held the position of Police Benevolent Association [PBA] President for two five-year terms. In 2008, Rolison retired with 26 years of service to the police department. Rolison has also served as a volunteer firefighter for 14 years.

In the political realm, Rolison currently serves as the Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie. During the course of his career as mayor, Rolison helped maintain economic stability through deficit cuts and budget creations and advocated for various community programs. Rolison has also worked with the Poughkeepsie School District on an initiative known as the “Children’s Cabinet” which assists in education and youth development. Prior to his term as mayor, Rolison served as a Dutchess County Legislator for 12 years and six years in a row as the Legislature Chair starting in 2010. In his immediate family, Rolision’s late father Jay P. Rolison, Jr served as state Senator.

Speaking with Rolison prior to the election, he shared that he has enjoyed the dialogue of the various residents of the new 39th while also addressing concerns and their desires for change. “I can tell you that, again, the overarching, the overwhelming desire of folks is they want change, they are not happy with the direction of this state. They’re frustrated,” said Rolison. “The issues have been public safety, the economy and the lack of trust in government.”

If elected to the state senate, Rolison will look to focus on economic relief for the district, seek additional public safety methods, oppose the no-bail laws while supporting first responders and look to hold other elected officials accountable.

“I would respectfully ask for people’s support to be the next state Senator from the 39th District. I have always put people first. I have always cared about people from everywhere,” said Rolison. “Now is the time to change the direction of our state capitol and Albany.”

Additional information for the public on Rolison’s overall platform and his campaign prior to the election day can be found online at robrolison.com.

Early voting began on Saturday, October 29 and proceed till November 6. The Activity Center at 401 Washington St. will serve as a designated early voting site for city residents.