Orange County, NY Democratic Committee

09/27/2026

09/22/2026

Join the Orange County Democrats this Thursday, September 24th at City Winery to celebrate our Trailblazers of The Year: Councilwoman Mary McLymore and Mary Lou Carolan.

In 2025, the Town of Newburgh was an epicenter of progress and a spotlight on the importance of local elections thanks to the hard work of these two incredible leaders. Mary McLymore was elected as the first Democrat in nearly 30 years to represent the town, and the first woman of color. Mary Lou, her running mate, ran an equally strong campaign leading in the vote count for weeks following the election. She fought hard to represent her constituents, maintain confidence in our elections, and ensure each vote was fairly counted — even in the face of expensive legal fees and unfair treatment by her Republican counterparts who sued repeatedly to un-count votes that were cast for her.

Despite our best efforts, the New York State Court of Appeals certified a one vote election victory for Mary Lou’s opponent just last week. She may not have won this battle, but her defiant and undeterred positivity will undoubtedly lead us to victory in narrow contests like hers in the future.

Both of these incredible leaders represent the best of local campaigns and servant leadership, at a time when the Town of Newburgh is undergoing a political transformation.

Help us win bigger and more decisive victories by joining us on Thursday at our Blue Horizons Gala. The link to purchase tickets or sponsor our event is below:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bluehorizons

09/05/2026

Join us this Labor Day for a community rally honoring our local labor leaders, organizers, and representatives. Come stand with your community on Monday, September 7, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Goshen Village Green Park, with the program beginning at 9:00 AM.

09/02/2026

GOSHEN – The freeze on Orange County sales tax on gasoline purchases over $2 per gallon took effect on Tuesday, September 1. The tax amnesty was aimed at p

08/31/2026

For Immediate Release:
Orange County Sheriff Candidate Bernie Rivers
Criticizes Sheriff Paul Arteta’s Role in Pro-ICE Lawsuit by Notorious DC-Based Pressure Group

August 31, 2026 — ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. — Democratic Orange County Sheriff candidate and Retired Director NYS DEC Division of Law Enforcement Bernie Rivers released a statement today criticizing current Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta for joining a
federal lawsuit that seeks to redirect the Sheriff’s Department resources from its core law enforcement responsibilities and expand ICE activity in Orange County. Arteta’s lawsuit
was filed by lawyers for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a notorious DC-based advocacy group at the fringes of current immigration debates.

Statement from Bernie Rivers:

“The job of the Orange County Sheriff is to protect our communities, provide exceptional service
and operate a safe and secure County Jail. Paul Arteta’s
participation in a lawsuit to expand the Sheriff’s Department ICE responsibilities in Orange County is irresponsible, wasteful and undermines the integrity of the Office.

“We’re trusted by residents to professionally enforce the laws passed by our legislature – not to join with a Washington pressure group in a damaging effort to overturn them. Orange County residents deserve a Sheriff who is focused on their needs, not one chasing national headlines at the expense of public trust.”

The suit filed by Arteta and FAIR challenges New York’s “Local Cops, Local Crimes Act,” a law which prohibits local law enforcement agencies from entering into or remaining in 287(g) agreements to
perform civil federal immigration enforcement or operate ICE jails. Arteta’s litigation comes after Orange County has reportedly already terminated its 287(g) agreements and the County’s legislature unanimously voted twice against proposed local ICE expansions.

08/19/2026

08/14/2026

Together, we will fight to win back Orange County. As your sheriff, I will be accountable, I will never cover things up, and I will always put our beautiful county and its people first. Just as I have served the State and People of New York for the past 40 years.

07/18/2026

For the past several years, the Cornwall Democratic Committee has delivered historic victories, and has set a county-wide example for effective organizing and leadership.

We offer endless gratitude to our friend, outgoing Chair Barbara Smith Gioia for her amazing work. And congratulations to our new Town Chair, Chris DeFilippi.

Chris has been one of the most active members of our county leadership team, and a valuable part of our committee in Cornwall. We’re looking forward to another two years of successful organizing and local victory under his leadership.