The clubhouse at the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center hosted the Sullivan County Republican Committee for their annual dinner event on October 14 where candidates and local political leaders spoke in anticipation of the races leading up to Election Day. 

Sullivan County Republican Committee President and Town of Cochecton Town Supervisor Gary Maas, alongside Sullivan County Coroner Alan Keston, invited a number of candidates up to the podium to highlight their political campaigns.

Running for Sullivan County Family Court Judge is candidate Jacqueline Ricciani.

“I think that I am an excellent candidate for this position having lived in that world for the past several years and seeing the types of cases that come,” Ricciani said.

Judge Tom Marcelle is running for New York Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District, and told the crowd that if he were elected, he would work as an “ambitious and courageous” judge.

“I will be a dependable, conservative voice from the bench and I believe our rights come from God and are protected by the government,” Marcelle said.

Other candidates that evening included incumbent Peter Oberacker of the New York 51st State Senate District and candidate Lisa LaBue, who is vying for the seat in the New York 100th Assembly District.

Although Congressman Lee Zeldin did not make an appearance as he did at last year’s GOP dinner, his continuing campaign for Governor of New York was bolstered by guest speaker Alison Esposito, running-mate of Zeldin and candidate for Lt. Governor of New York.

Esposito explained her background and career as a police officer for the New York Police Department for 25 years, eventually reaching the status and rank of Commanding Officer and Deputy Inspector of the 70th Police Precinct in Brooklyn.

“For the same reason I went into the New York City Police Department, to give a voice to the voiceless and to protect those who could not protect themselves, I took a step away from my police department to enter this arena to represent all of you as Lieutenant Governor of New York State,” she said. 

Due to recent redistricting and the decision to withhold his running for reelection, Senator Mike Marucci gave his farewells and gratitude to those who supported him as fellow Republicans and legislators.

“From me to you personally, I want to say thank you...the ride was great,” Martucci said. “Even though my journey with you ends at the end of this year, what I want you to know is the mission that we committed ourselves to absolutely doesn’t end.”

The Honored Guest Speaker of the evening was candidate for the New York 19th Congressional District and current Dutchess County Executive, Marcus Molinaro. 

Although he lost the Special Election in August, a race to fill the position for the remainder of the term left vacant by current Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Molinaro’s determination to run on November 8 was in full force as he spoke before the crowd and rallied for his own and the other Republican candidates’ campaigns.

“August 23 is yesterday, November 8 is tomorrow,” Molinaro said. “Tomorrow is what is important.”

Molinaro, alongside the other candidates, reminded and encouraged those in attendance and all residents of Sullivan County to register to vote and participate in the polls on November 8.