Above photo: Greene County Republican Party committee members gathered, last Saturday, to select candidates for the November, 2026, county, state and federal elections. Among those on hand were (left to right) county sheriff Pete Kusminsky, county GOP chairman Brent Bogardus, county district attorney nominee Jeffrey Low, county coroner nominee John Delvecchio, Conservative Party chairman Michael Buttino, county GOP vice-chairman Thomas Hoyt, county legislature chairman Patrick Linger and county legislature Majority Leader Matthew Luvera.
CATSKILL - There are two Greene County-level races, this November, with local Republican Party committee members choosing candidates for District Attorney and Coroner at their convention, last week.
Jeffrey Low, presently the chief assistant district attorney, was picked to possibly replace Joseph Stanzione who is not seeking re-election after twelve years in office.
Low, in a 121 to 33 committee vote, defeated prosecutorial colleague Danielle McIntosh, currently an assistant district attorney.
John Delvecchio, seeking to become one of four county coroners, got the nod, running unchallenged. Low and Delvecchio now await possible competition from the Democratic and/or Conservative parties.
Republicans also made their selections for state and federal office including Marcus Molinaro, trying for the open 102nd Assembly District seat (please see related story in “Better than Hearsay”).
Low was nominated by former county Sheriff Greg Seeley who said, “few of the decisions this committee will make are more serious than selecting a district attorney.
“That is why I stand before you today to nominate Jeffrey Low. 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,” Seeley said.
“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,” Low said.
“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.
McIntosh, nominated by Windham town supervisor and GOP vice-chairman Thomas Hoyt, said she would not seek a primary or cross-party endorsement, adding, “I am loyal to the Republican Party.”
Delvecchio is a lifelong resident of Greene County and former member of the town of Athens police department and county sheriffs office.
Democratic Party co-chairman Marc Czermerys, in a telephone interview on Tuesday said,, “we do not have anyone yet” to challenge for district attorney or coroner.
“We are doing the necessary footwork to find someone. It’s very important to keep our elections going and generate interest,” Czermerys said.
Local Republicans, in addition to backing Molinaro, got solidly behind Peter Oberacker for the 19th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Democrat Josh Riley.
Oberacker is leaving the State Senate 51st District, seeking a chair in the U.S. House of Representatives, making Catskill one of a series of campaign stops, on Saturday.
He shared a story about recently receiving a telephone call from President Donald Trump, saying, “I got on the phone and it’s the President. I had to gather myself. It was exciting. We talked a little bit.
“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 said.
Local Republicans will similarly circulate designating petitions for Patrick Sheehan who is pursuing the State Senate 41st district spot held by Democrat Michelle Hinchey.
And the county GOP will stand behind Bruce Blakeman in his quest to win the governorship away from Democrat incumbent Kathy Hochul.
“I’ve known Bruce for thirty years. Once you get to know him too, you will be comfortable with what the stands for,” Greene County GOP chairman Brent Bogardus said. “It is an uphill battle, but God knows we need to change the direction of this State.”
Republicans are hopeful the political dominoes fall nicely into place, with Molinaro taking the 102nd Assembly seat vacated by Chris Tague.
Tague seeks the State Senate, 51st District spot Oberacker is leaving to challenge incumbent Democrat Josh Riley.
Riley, two years ago, in a highly expensive and intense campaign, ousted Molinaro from the 19th Congressional slot sought by Oberacker.
