There will be primary election contests in the Town of Shawangunk and the Town of Gardiner on June 27.

The Town of Shawangunk Republican primary features Ulster County Legislator Ken Ronk Jr. and Councilman Adrian “Binker” DeWitt on the ballot for the two-year Supervisor’s position being vacated at the end of 2023 by retiring Supervisor John Valk.

DeWitt remains on the ballot even though he announced in a Facebook post on May 21 that he was pulling out because he felt he couldn’t devote enough time to the job due to his full-time job as a district supervisor for the Orange County Highway Department.

However, in an interview with the Wallkill Valley Times on Saturday, DeWitt said he had a change of heart after he was “inspired” by many people who said they were going to vote for him anyway.

“If the residents select me in the primary, I will accept the nomination and give them the job they want to push forward,” DeWitt said. “I am the most qualified and know the commitment the job will take to do (it) correctly. I know the change people want and I will go in that direction.”

DeWitt said many supporters have been approaching him about putting signs up now, so he probably will.

“I was flooded with calls from people who were disappointed when I said I was pulling out of the race,” DeWitt said.

When asked to respond to DeWitt’s decision to re-enter the race, Ronk issued a statement that noted that he’s always been committed to run for the position.

“My commitment to the Town of Shawangunk is unwavering,” Ronk said. “I have never wavered in my campaign. I want to serve as Town Supervisor because I have what it takes to deliver the government that residents desire to move Shawangunk forward. My 16 years in the County Legislature, including executive experience as Chairman, have given me the tools to find solutions to complex problems we face.”

There will also be a three-way race in the GOP primary for two board seats in the Town of Shawangunk. Incumbents Brian Amthor and Robert Miller are on the ballot along with former Shawangunk Highway Superintendent and current Wallkill School Board president Joseph LoCicero. The seats are for four-year terms.

Gardiner race for Supervisor
Current Town of Gardiner Supervisor Marybeth Majestic, who is finishing up her fourth two-year term, is being challenged by local environmental activist, singer/songwriter and telecom channel manager Tim Hunter in the Democratic Party primary.

During the campaign, Majestic has touted many infrastructure improvements during her time in office including upgrades to the town hall, the pavilion and basketball court at Majestic Park, the Clove Road Bridge, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the new Riverbend Trail System at the transfer station.

Those improvements and others were partially or fully funded with grants, she said, and town taxes have been reduced for the past three years.

Hunter, whose home is close to the Town Highway Garage on South Mountain Road where the Town Board has approved the construction of a second cell tower, has criticized Majestic for supporting the cell tower. He said it could prove to be dangerous to highway workers and the large tower spoils the scenic views of the Shawangunk Ridge.

Hunter has also been a constant critic of the expansion of the Lazy River and the Awosting Club campgrounds during Majestic’s time in office.

There will also be early voting at four locations in Ulster County through June 25. All registered Republicans in Shawangunk and all registered Democrats in Gardiner can vote in the primaries.

The closest location for early voting in the two towns are at the Shawangunk Town Hall, 14 Central Avenue, Wallkill, and the New Paltz Community Center, 3 Veterans Drive, New Paltz.