The Newburgh City Council welcomes Robert McLymore as its newest councilmember at-large heading into 2024. McLymore was sworn into office on Saturday, January 6 by New York State Supreme Court Justice E. Loren Williams in front of his wife, his children, his parents, extended family, various law enforcement colleagues and community and congregation supporters.

McLymore, a first-time elected official, joins the present city council members alongside incumbents Omari Shakur and Torrance Harvey who were both up for re-election and claimed victory in their respective races this past year. McLymore first announced his bid for the at-large seat in January 2023 and succeeds former councilman at-large Anthony Grice. Grice made the decision to step down from his position and will now be spending more time with family in retirement.

In the summer of 2023, McLymore would claim victory in the Democratic Primary; and heading into the previous general election race in November, the race saw the at-large seats looking to be claimed by incumbent Shakur, Anusha Mehar, Christine Bello and Donald Rehrey Jr.

McLymore, born and raised in the City of Newburgh, is a Newburgh Free Academy alumnus from the Class of 1994 and went on to attend Orange County Community College, where he received an associates in applied science majoring in criminal justice in 1997. McLymore furthered his education at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, graduating with a bachelor of science in criminal justice in 2000.

McLymore serves in the Town of Wallkill as a police lieutenant and his two-decade-plus career includes service in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Rockland District Attorney’s Office. He was also appointed as a senior advisor for the City of Newburgh Police Department and worked on Executive Order 203. In the Newburgh community, he is an active pastor of the Life Restoration Church on First Street which was founded by his father, Pastor Michael McLymore Sr. McLymore and his wife Sharon have also raised their four children in Newburgh.

Supporters and extended family members of McLymore gathered Saturday at the Activity Center at 401 Washington Street for the swearing-in ceremony. Mayor Torrance Harvey, former mayor Nicholas Valentine, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Councilman Robert Sklarz and NAACP Newburgh Highland Falls President Ray Harvey each congratulated McLymore during their remarks. Parents Michael and Mary McLymore each shared words of encouragement, support and congratulations for their son as he takes the next steps in his career.

“Years down the road, now you see him growing. You see him growing, growing in the ministry, you see him now being sworn in as an elected official. You see him as the lieutenant of the Town of Wallkill. Exponential growth. We are a product, not of what we say. But we are a product of what we do,” said Michael. “For anyone to be a leader, they must be a servant first.”

“When he won, I was not really surprised but I will say God, I thank you. I’m grateful,” said Mary. “So Robert, as you sit on that council, and we know you’re only one voice, but God could turn a whole lot of things around with that one voice. And that’s what I am looking so forward to watch and see all the wonderful things that God is going to do with you on that council for the City of Newburgh because like He always say, Don’t put your light under a bushel, but let your light shine so that they will see God in you, no matter what it is.”

As the oath of office was recited by McLymore, loud applause and cheers came from the crowd and thus a new councilman joined the city council’s ranks. “I want to say that this has been a journey which I’m grateful for. Now I’m going to fight for you as an elected community servant, your council member at large, I’m going to be fighting for you. And I never forget where I came from,” said McLymore. “I know my heart is in the right place and my heart is for the community.”