Democrats strengthened their hold on the Ulster County Legislature in last week’s election, expanding their majority from 19-4 to 20-3, while incumbents in several closely watched races in the southern portion of the county held onto their seats.
The results included victories for Democratic incumbents Amy Dooley in Lloyd and Esopus, Dominick Marino in Lloyd and Marlborough, and Laura Donovan in Marlborough. Republican Minority Leader Kevin Roberts also retained his seat in Plattekill, while Republican Richard T. Walls defeated his Democratic challenger in Shawangunk.
Democrats entered Election Day with an advantage, having been unchallenged in 13 of the Legislature’s 23 districts. That guaranteed the party would retain control regardless of the outcome in the contested races.
The election featured four rematches, including two in which former Republican legislators attempted to reclaim seats they lost in 2025. Both fell short again.
In District 9, which includes the towns of Esopus and Lloyd, incumbent Democrat Amy Dooley defeated former Legislator Herbert W. Litts III, 1,919-1,434.
In neighboring District 10, covering portions of Lloyd and Marlborough, incumbent Dominick Marino again defeated former Legislator Gina Hansut, 1,766-1,385.
Marino said he focused on showing that not only could he win an election but that he wanted to convey that he would work for everyone in Lloyd on their behalf and not just for one party.
While on the campaign trail, “People said I was doing a good job, that I was visible and they were following some of the work I was doing and I was thanked by many people, it was nice and felt very welcoming.”
In his first term Marino introduced a resolution to create a county-wide lethality assessment program, focused on domestic violence prevention. It is aimed to help law enforcement identify people who are at risk in order to prevent fatalities. An advocate is then assigned to help create a safety plan for someone and help remove a person from a dangerous situation.
On the national level Marino believes people are beginning to realize that this is not about party politics.
“This is about standing up for what is right, not approving of what we’ve seen for the past two years of an administration enriching themselves, untrained ICE gents terrorizing and raiding our communities like we’ve never seen in our lifetimes, to the Big Beautiful Bill slashing health care for the most vulnerable people, our state being under serious strain from federal cuts like Housing and Urban Development. He believes people are being impacted on many levels – housing affordability, food prices and the tariffs that were put on by this administration and the negative impacts upon our allies across the globe. I think people have finally had enough and showed that by going to the polls and voting for candidates that are speaking out against this tyranny and what candidates have delivered on local levels and what candidates have been present for them at all aspects of government.”
Marino is hoping to work more closely with the Lloyd Town Board because housing and affordability starts with them.
“The Housing law has been on the books for 17 years and needs to be implemented in new projects that come into town. That’s a good start to make sure people have an apartment at fair market rent in Ulster County.”
Marlborough incumbents win
In District 11, incumbent Democrat Laura Donovan defeated Republican challenger Nicholas J. Cracolici, 1,783-1,606, securing another term representing Marlborough.
Donovan celebrated the victory while thanking the volunteers, supporters, labor unions and others who helped with her campaign.
She also highlighted what she described as a historic accomplishment for the town: becoming the first candidate to win reelection in a Marlborough midterm election.
“Together, we accomplished something that has never been done before here in Marlborough — winning reelection in a midterm election!” Donovan wrote in a statement.
She also thanked Cracolici for reaching out after the election and for running what she called a fine campaign.
Donovan said she would continue bringing an independent voice to the Legislature and making the needs of Marlborough residents her priority.
“I’ll continue to be accessible, to listen, and to show up for every resident of Marlborough,” she said.
Roberts, Walls hold Republican seats
Republican Minority Leader Kevin Roberts of Plattekill defeated Democrat Marisa J. McClinton in District 12, 1,496-1,212.
In District 13, Republican incumbent Richard T. Walls defeated Democrat Adrienne Gelfand-Perine, 1,415-1,118, to retain his seat representing Shawangunk.
In District 14, which includes Shawangunk and Wawarsing, incumbent Republican Craig Lopez ran unopposed.
Lopez, who said he has represented the two communities for nearly 15 years, reflected on his service in a social media post.
“For nearly 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of representing Shawangunk and Wawarsing in the Ulster County Legislature. It’s a responsibility I’ve never taken lightly, and one that means just as much to me today as it did when I was first elected,” Lopez wrote.
He said public service is about listening to residents, showing up and doing the work rather than politics or personal recognition.
Countywide results
Democrats also maintained their hold on most of the remaining districts, with several incumbents winning comfortably.
Among the contested races outside Southern Ulster, Democrat Kate Leon narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Jason J. Kovacs in District 3, which includes portions of Kingston, Ulster and Saugerties. Leon received 1,766 votes to Kovacs’ 1,723.
Democratic incumbents Michael Berardi in District 4, Joseph Donaldson in District 8 and Lindsey Grossman in District 19 also defeated Republican challengers.
Democrat Ken Stephens won District 21, which includes Rochester and Wawarsing, while incumbent Democrat Robert Drake defeated Republican Peter Friedel in District 22.
All 23 members of the Ulster County Legislature serve two-year terms.