FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2025
Contact: press@ucdems.org

Ulster County Democrats Celebrate Sweeping Victories:

Five Legislature Flips to Build a 19–4 Supermajority, Plus Key Wins Over GOP Opponents Across Kingston, Town Boards, Villages, and the State Supreme Court

Ulster County, NY — Ulster County Democrats are celebrating a historic Election Night that flipped five Legislature districts from red to blue and expanded the Democratic majority to a commanding 19–4 supermajority, while defeating Republican and Conservative opponents across the City of Kingston, town boards, villages, and in the race for State Supreme Court.

“This election showcased organic leadership, neighbors stepping up to organize and solve real problems in their communities,” said Barbara Graves-Poller, Chair of the Ulster County Democratic Committee. “Voters of both parties and unaffiliated folks are fed up with the chaos in Washington, and they will not accept complicity and silence from their local officials.  Our candidates brought different perspectives and experience to their campaigns but shared the common goal of protecting our communities. They knocked on doors, talked to voters, and turned outrage into action.”

Regional Victory — Will Little Elected State Supreme Court Justice

Ulster County Democrats also celebrated the election of William T. “Will” Little Jr. (D, WF) to the New York State Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District, where he defeated Republican candidate Dana Lynn Salazar.

Little earned a commanding 57.05% of the vote (120,921 votes) across the multi-county district, compared to Salazar’s 38.48% (81,560 votes). In Ulster County specifically, Little won by a decisive 64.75% to 35.25%, underscoring strong local support for fair-minded, community-centered leadership on the bench.

Countywide Offices: Democratic Sweep

  • County Clerk: Taylor Bruck (D)

  • County Comptroller: March Gallagher (D, WF)

  • Family Court Judge: Lara Olivieri (D, WF)

Five Legislature Flips: 19–4 Democratic Supermajority

Democrats flipped Districts 2, 4, 9, 10, and 11 — all previously held by Republicans:

  • District 2 (Saugerties Village): Ann Peters (D) defeated Ronald Polacco (R, C).

  • District 4 (Town of Ulster): Michael Berardi (D) defeated Eric Kitchen (R, C).

  • District 9 (Esopus/Lloyd): Amy Dooley (D, WF) defeated Herbert W. Litts III (R, C).

  • District 10 (Lloyd/Marlborough): Dominick Marino (D, WF) defeated Gina E. Hansut (R, C).

  • District 11 (Marlborough): Laura Donovan (D, WF, Common Ground) defeated Thomas J. Corcoran Jr. (R, C).

City of Kingston: Democrats Sweep With Two Defeating GOP Opponents

  • Ward 2: Michael Tierney (D, WF) defeated George F. Wells III (R).

  • Ward 6: Bob Dennison (D) defeated James F. Baker Sr. (R, C).

Town Supervisor Races: Democrats Who Defeated GOP Opponents

  • Gardiner: Michael Hartner (D) over Ryan Wiley (R, Gardiner First).

  • Lloyd: Stuart Weiss (D) over Dave Plavchak (R, C).

  • New Paltz: Tim Rogers (D, WF) over Amanda Gotto (R).

  • Olive: Jim Sofranko (D) over Bob Fehring (R, C).

  • Plattekill: Michael Lembo (D) over Dean A. Depew Sr. (R, C).

  • Rochester: Erin Enouen (D) over Lene R. Fornino (C).

  • Wawarsing: Joseph Stoeckeler III (D) over Terry Houck (R, C).

  • Saugerties: Fred Costello Jr. (D, WF) over Gaetana Ciarlante (Conservative).

*The Town of Esopus Supervisor race is still too close to call; votes are still being counted.

Town Councilperson Races: Democrats Who Defeated GOP Opponents

  • Esopus (2 seats): Stephanie T. Yeh (D, WF) and Paul Cardin Brooks (D, WF) defeated John Nagy (R, C) and Erin Pascaretti (R, C).

  • Gardiner (2 seats): Wolfe Scandinaro (D) and Roberta Clements (D) defeated Alex Hogan (R).

  • Lloyd (2 seats): Lacy H. Maffei (D) and Michael J. Petty (D) defeated Len Auchmoody (R, C) and John Fraino (R, C).

  • New Paltz (2 seats): Sean O’Sullivan (D) and Kate M. Ryan (D) defeated Randall Leverette (R).

  • Olive (2 seats): Edwin Maldonado (D) and Sarah Hemingway Lynch (D) defeated Ellen C. Gallivan (R, C).

  • Rochester (2 seats): Charlotte Smiseth (D) and Michael Coleman (D) defeated Lene R. Fornino (C) and David Linscott (C).

  • Saugerties (2 seats): Bill Barr (D) and Stephanie Bassler (D) defeated Zachery C. Horton (R, C) and Michael A. Sasso III (R, C).

  • Town of Ulster (2 seats): Laura Hartmann (D, WF, Our Town Ulster) defeated Republican and Conservative challengers.

  • Wawarsing (2 seats): Samantha Ellis (D, WF) and William Brown (D) defeated Michael Moschetta (R, C) and Jeremy Hull (R, C).

Villages: Democrats Who Defeated GOP Opponents

  • Village of Ellenville (2 seats): Nilsary Lewis-Rivera (D) and Latisha Kentop (D) defeated Susan Nibe (R, C).

Full 2025 Ulster County Election Results can be found HERE.

Powered by People: From Outrage to Action

Across Ulster County, Democrats ran people-powered campaigns—meeting voters at their doors and on the phones, backed by countless local volunteers who turned outrage into action. These wins build momentum heading into the fast-approaching midterm elections, proving that when national politics feel broken, local leadership is how communities protect their values and deliver results.