Incumbent Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum says he's not shocked by the results of the Democratic primary for Ulster County sheriff.

"Not totally unexpected. I thought we would have done a little bit better," says the three-term sheriff. "The ultra-left for sure got their team together and got the voters out on their side."

Democratic primary voters overwhelmingly chose Van Blarcum's opponent, former Marine and New York state trooper Juan Figueroa.

"An amazing response from the Democrats in Ulster County, who basically made a big decision, a big statement that they're supporting somebody new for the Democratic line," Figueroa said.

Van Blarcum is running for this fourth term as Ulster County sheriff. His third term brought some controversy, leading Ulster County Democrats to back Figueroa instead. Van Blarcum disagrees with the idea that the results were a response to his tenure as sheriff. 

"There was such a low turn out and the other parties have yet to be heard," said Van Blarcum.   

Van Blarcum won 18 percent of the vote to Figueroa's 82 percent. As of 2016, Ulster County had nearly 40,000 active Democratic voters, and around 40 percent of them voted on primary day. The 42-year veteran of the sheriff's office says he has more opportunities for votes in the general since he's on four party lines - Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform.

"With those parties lined up behind me hopefully and some of the Democrats, the more middle-ground Democrats, the older Democrats the ones who believe in what we've done here at the sheriff's office come out, I think we have a good shot at doing fairly well at the general election," Van Blarcum said.

Both candidates say their experience is what matters when voters decide for good in November. Van Blarcum says his history with the sheriff's office has no comparison.

"My experience is all within the sheriff's office," said Van Blarcum. "My opponent was a trooper, no experience running 300 employees and a $32 million budget, which i've done successfully for the last 12 years."

But Figueroa says his time as a Marine and in the state police gives him the credentials for the job.

"I do have experience running an organization. Sure, it's different from the sheriff's office; sure, the budgets weren't the same; but the concept is the same," Figueroa said. "And leadership is what this office needs, and leadership is what I'm going to bring."