Orange County, NY Democratic Committee

06/02/2026

Mark your calendar....

05/09/2026

GOSHEN – Acknowledging that Orange County, the region, state, and nation are in a housing crisis, the county legislature Thursday voted to hire a consultant t

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

While you’re watching prices climb at the pump, Orange County Republicans just voted against lowering them.

Last week, the OCNY Democratic Caucus voted for a Gas Tax Cap. The plan was simple, cap the county’s sales tax at $3.00/gallon. It would have provided immediate, common-sense relief for every commuter, small business, and family in our community.

But while Donald Trump’s incompetent foreign policy and reckless war in Iran drive global oil prices to record highs, local Republicans expect YOU to pay the price. Our neighbors in Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland have already acted. Why is Orange County being left behind?

Democrats are fighting to lower your costs. Republicans are fighting to hoard your tax dollars. It’s time to tell them that we're done paying for their incompetence.

SIGN THE PETITION: Click below and tell the county legislature to pass the gas tax cap.
https://www.mobilize.us/orangecountydemocrats/event/950744/

Then help us spread the word. What town are you in, and what is gas costing you today? Let’s show them the reality of this crisis.

Orange County is feeling the direct impact of an incompetent administration in Washington. Donald Trump’s destabilizing war in Iran has sent fuel prices skyrocketing nationwide, creating an affordability crisis that is squeezing the middle class. We believe local government should be a shield, not...

05/03/2026

Mary Lou, this community has your back 🫶 We’re focused, and we will not fold while Republicans try to invalidate votes from an election that happened 6 months ago. We’re thankful to everyone who joined us on a Saturday morning to show their support.

05/02/2026

04/30/2026

REPUBLICANS REJECT GAS TAX CAP
I am deeply disappointed to report that the Orange County Legislature failed to pass the Gas Tax Cap. Despite soaring prices at the pump and a growing affordability crisis, my Republican colleagues all voted “NO” on a common-sense measure that would have provided immediate relief to our residents, small businesses, and commuters. (*every Democrat voted YES)

As of June 1st, we will be surrounded by counties—Rockland, Dutchess, Ulster, and Putnam—that have all taken action to provide relief.

By doing nothing, we are effectively encouraging our residents to spend their money elsewhere.

Affordability shouldn't be a partisan issue. It’s the number one challenge facing our community. Orange County missed a major opportunity to do the right thing.

We owe it to our residents to keep our local economy competitive and address the cost-of-living crisis head-on. I’m not giving up on this fight.

OCNY Democratic Caucus



"How are high gas prices impacting your family budget? Let me know in the comments."

04/30/2026

Stand with Mary Lou Carolan at 12:00PM this Saturday, May 2nd, at the Newburgh Town Hall, and demand she be reinstated as a Town Councilmember. Republicans are actively trying to overturn her 2025 election in court by subtracting votes.

Click here to join us! https://www.mobilize.us/orangecountydemocrats/event/948284/

Mary Lou was one of two women who were elected to the Newburgh Town Council almost 80 days ago, ending almost 40 years of single-party Republican control. The margin for Mary Lou’s seat was so close, every ballot had to be recounted and scrutinized by hand through mid-December. Republicans maliciously objected to ballots with small tears or stray pen marks, despite the intent of the voter being obvious. Every challenged ballot was reviewed, and most were deemed valid and counted for Mary Lou. Despite dozens of objections, she was certified the winner by just two votes.

Republicans immediately filed a lawsuit to un-count ballots that they previously challenged. Then, a few weeks ago a lower court judge who had already resigned from the bench following formal charges of misconduct, with just months left in office, decided to reconsider 37 ballots that Republican election lawyers objected to. These were mostly ballots for Mary Lou, and never should have been reconsidered at all. The law only permits the court to restore ballots that were INVALIDATED, not un-count valid ones.
In her ruling she inconsistently applied her own legal standards for which ballots should count, and even incorrectly recorded several votes in her written decision. When everything was tallied, Mary Lou who has now been in office since January, was suddenly behind by one.

Our appeal was already filed, so in court the judge acknowledged that Mary Lou should continue serving in office until the appellate division makes a decision, likely next week.

This week she was notified in writing by the Republican Town Supervisor that her opponent, Paul Ruggerio, would be sworn in anyway. They disabled her town email, and told her not to come to official meetings. They don’t have the power to do this.