Putnam Election Commissioner Longest-Serving in State
Putnam County Democratic Election Commissioner Robert Bennett received the surprise of his many decades-long career when he entered the historic county courthouse for the June legislative meeting only to discover he was being recognized by a large audience as the longest serving election commissioner in New York State.
“Thank you all for providing me with almost a heart attack,” Bennett said jokingly of the surprise recognition. “I did not have the slightest knowledge I would be entering such a reception.”
On June 1, 1976, Bennett was appointed to the commissioner’s position that he still holds today and has no plans of vacating.
After several people had spoken at the meeting to honor Bennett, including his counterpart Republican Election Commissioner Anthony Scannapieco and Putnam County Democratic Committee Chair Victor Grossman, Election Specialist Claudia McGuiness spoke on behalf of all of the employees at the Putnam County Board of Elections.
McGuiness noted that when Bennett began his tenure there were no computers and all voter registration information had to be entered by hand. Life got a little easier when the county finally purchased computers for the department in 1997.
In 2004, the county experienced a flood of new voters wanting to register to vote.
“The Board needed all hands on deck, and Bob, being the type of person he is, stepped in to help the office staff deal with the huge backlog. He began scanning in all of the documents, and because of the sheer volume of forms, he became known as ‘scan man’,” McGuiness said. “But, that is only one of Bob’s many titles. In addition to answering to Commissioner, he also answers to Bob, Boss, Handsome, Commish, Bennett, the Big Kahuna and Yoda.”
During late nights to prepare for elections prior to electronic voting machines being introduced, Bennett was known to treat the entire staff to ice cream. McGuiness also said Bennett’s “special charm and endless patience,” were put into use to always take what could be described as difficult phone calls that he has never shied from picking up.
“We love and appreciate Bob for his warm smile, his quick wit, and his huge heart,” McGuiness said. “The people ofPutnamCountyhave been extremely fortunate to have such a caring, concerned, well-informed and wise man as one of the leaders at the helm of the Board of Elections.”
When it came time for him to address the crowd, Bennett grew emotional and everyone in attendance rose in a standing ovation for the longtime commissioner.
“It’s been a wonderful career. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. There are so many of you who have played a large part in what I believe I can call a success,” Bennett said. “I can’t thank you enough. It’s been a wonderful time….I hope it was beneficial to the county that I serve and that I love. Bob Bennett can’t say he did it on his own.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
