Former Orange County Legislator Christopher W. Eachus has announced his intention to run for the 99th District Assembly seat.
“This is an important seat,” Eachus said to the crowd gathered Sunday at Brothers Barbecue in New Windsor. “I am so honored and privileged to be able to run for a position where I can get back to serving a large community of people, both young and old.”
Zachary Constantine of Goshen, who was campaigning for the 99th district seat, opted out of the race and is pursuing the chair of the Orange County Democratic Committee.
The 99th Assembly District encompasses parts of both Orange and Rockland County which are currently represented by Assemblyman Colin Schmitt [D-99]. Schmitt was first elected into the assembly in 2018 and was re-elected into office in 2020.
Back in early April, Schmitt officially announced his campaign for the seat of New York’s 18th Congressional District. The seat in this congressional district is currently held by Representative Sean Patrick Maloney. With the newly opened seat, Eachus’s opponent in the primary this year is Kathryn Luciani, a member of the Woodbury Town Council.
Eachus has been a resident of the Town of New Windsor for the past 30 years. He and his wife Kimberly have raised four children here in the area. He is a retired high school educator with 40 years of experience.
Eachus has taught at Storm King School, Newburgh Free Academy Main, Marlboro and the New York Military Academy.
Eachus served as an Orange County Legislator representing the 15th District for 12 years. He also was a member of the New Windsor Democratic Committee for 11 years and served as the chairman of that group for three years. He was also a member of the Orange County Democratic Committee for nine years. Eachus is also a 36 year member of the New York State United Teachers Union and a member of the Local #2867 Newburgh Teachers Association and Local #2817 Marlboro Faculty Association.
“The rising cost of living has been detrimental to our working class and we need to do everything we can to give them a hand up. If elected, I pledge to do everything in my power to help find solutions to their everyday problems and be an advocate for them,” Eachus said in a press release. “Our community members deserve experienced and accessible leadership that will be able to deliver for them in Albany and that is what I intend to do.”
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson [D-104], Orange County Legislator Kevindaryán Luján [District 4], Town of Cornwall Councilwoman Virginia Scott, Town of Highlands Councilman Tyrone King, Bette Ann Yarus and Brett Broge of the Orange County Democratic Committee attended the kickoff event in support of Eachus.
“I’ve known Chris for years. I know what type of person he is and what kind of assemblymember he would make,” Jacobson said. “Chris is someone who has always been there for others and he’s always put others ahead of himself. He has the qualities you need to be an effective assembly member.”