Odell Rallies GOP Base Ahead of Election
Coming off a commanding victory in the Opportunity to Ballot Conservative primary, County Executive MaryEllen Odell officially opened the doors to her campaign headquarters last week.
Odell, who is seeking a second full term, which would be her last, ushered in about 50 supporters–a portion of whom where fellow lawmakers or county employees–and encouraged attendees to make their vote count this November. With talk of a “Blue Wave” of Democratic support coming this year, Odell and other elected officials stressed turnout was key.
Odell, a Republican, faces Kent Supervisor Maureen Fleming, a Democrat, in the general election. In the OTB for the Conservative line, Odell was able to easily beat Fleming with about 80 percent of the vote on Sep. 13.
Her campaign headquarters are along Route 52 in Carmel within the ShopeRite plaza.
NYS Sen. Terrence Murphy, a Republican up for reelection, endorsed Odell during the campaign office opening.
“You want to talk about integrity, you want to talk about leadership, you want to talk about a lady who is putting it all out there for the good of the county just to try to do the right thing,” Murphy said. “It is unbelievably important to make sure we get the vote out. It’s craziness that’s going on in America right now, but this is the epicenter right here because this is Republican leadership right here in Putnam County. We’ve got to set the example right here.”
County Clerk Michael Bartolotti, who is running for reelection unopposed, said the apparatus leading the county is working “for the people” and it’s important that message gets out about that.
“Get out the vote, we got to get the people to the polls,” Bartolotti, a Republican, said. “That’s the only way things are going to continue in the positive direction they’re taken in.”
Several lawmakers were in attendance, including Republicans Ginny Nacerino, Paul Jonke, Neal Sullivan, Amy Sayegh, and Barbara Scuccimarra. Patterson Supervisor Rich Williams and Carmel Supervisor Kenny Schmitt were also in attendance.
Scuccimarra, who is up for reelection, said it was crucial to get the entire GOP base to vote this November. Nacerino said Odell has done an “awesome job” and “she’s earned her keep 10 times over.”
Odell will be on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence lines and Fleming has the Democratic, Reform, and Women’s Equality lines. Fleming has criticized Odell’s administration for out of control spending and cronyism within county government. But Odell, who has rebutted those assertions, believes residents want another four years of her leadership.
“I think the folks in Putnam County appreciate the work we’re all doing collectively, it’s not one person, it’s always a team,” Odell said. “This county is a great county. We’re proud of all it’s given us and all we’ve given them.”
