With his son in his arms, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro was sworn in to a third term on Friday before about 200 supporters at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum, and then posed a new challenge to his colleagues in county government.

In his speech, Molinaro first ticked off several successes over the last eight years. One example is the #ThinkDIFFERENTLY campaign, which Molinaro helped start in 2015.

Through the campaign, Molinaro challenged businesses and individuals to partner with non-profits to better serve people with special needs.

He said bigger challenges lie ahead.

"There will be times when ensuring equal access to some will require us to address longstanding inequalities or historical barriers to change," Molinaro told the room.

In an interview afterward with Spectrum News, Molinaro said the county government needs to find even more creative methods to better serve people with disabilities and people who suffer from addiction.

Even with $1 billion worth of development currently happening in the county, restructuring of certain county departments, and improved community programs, he said vulnerable people are getting left behind.

"Despite a robust economy, there are still those who live in poverty," Molinaro said.

He also pointed to racial divides.

"Minority populations too often feel left out of government decisions," he explained. "We have to confront those. As a changing society, and Dutchess County is a changing community, we have to be willing to find the common ground and tear down barriers to create opportunity for everyone."

Molinaro did not go into detail about how the county is next-leveling its efforts to empower such groups, staying conceptual in his speech and interview.

Stay tuned, he said.

"When we get to the State of the County Address at the end of February, we'll talk in some greater detail," Molinaro said. "But the human rights commission, our work through #ThinkDIFFERENTLY, the efforts to make sure people living in poverty have support. This is all part of creating this integrated effort to support everyone."

Molinaro also said he plans to serve out his third term in office and forego a run for the 19th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley.

“I am focused on the work before us here in Dutchess County,” he told Spectrum News after he was sworn in earlier in the morning. “I am focused on serving out my third term as county executive and I’m focused and very dedicated to a family that deserves to have their husband and dad around.”

Molinaro, the 2018 Republican candidate for governor, has been courted by state GOP officials to run for the House district held by freshman Democratic Rep. Antonio Delgado.

The seat has long been considered a battleground district, and Delgado flipped the district in 2018, defeating Republican John Faso. A Molinaro-Delgado race would likely shine another national spotlight on the district for both parties.

Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy last month said Molinaro would be a “terrific candidate” to run for the seat.

Molinaro demurred when asked about the effort by state Republicans to have him run for the seat, but called any push to have him run for something flattering.

“I have every intention of serving out what I expect will be my 12 years as county executive,” he said. “You never know what’s going to come your way, but my intention is to serve out the four years as county executive.”

Nick Reisman contributed to this article.