Republican Sue Serino and Democrat Tommy Zurhellen are facing each other in the race for Dutchess County executive.

Since January, William F.X. O’Neil has been serving the remaining term of executive after Marc Molinaro was elected to represent New York’s 19th Congressional District. Molinaro, a Republican, had held the county executive title since 2012. He endorsed Serino in February.

Serino spent eight years as a state senator representing Dutchess County, serving as both the chair and ranking member of the aging committee, and the ranking member of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Prior to that, she served on the Hyde Park Town Board and Dutchess County Legislature. She owns Serino Realty, a real estate agency in Hyde Park.  

“It's not about politics for me. In fact, a lot of people will say, they don't know what party I am because I represent, and really, truly care about everybody. "And that's the greatest part of this job, is helping people,” Serino said.

Zurhellen has been a Marist College professor for 20 years and served in the U.S. Navy for six years. In 2019, he walked across the country by himself to raise awareness for veteran homelessness and suicide rates. He then created a nonprofit, VetZero, to give veterans rides to appointments and job interviews.

“I’m not a politician, thank goodness. As you can see, I’m a college professor and a veteran who just wants to help people. And I think after 32 years of the same people in charge of Dutchess County, we all need a refreshing change,” Zurhellen said.

Serino’s top goals are to work on affordability and transportation throughout the county and to help seniors and veterans with their needs. She also wants to improve mental health services.

“The best part of the jobs that I’ve had — whether it was town board, legislature or state senate — was all about helping people,” Serino said.

Zurhellen is looking to keep seniors in their homes and create more workforce housing. He’d like to fight food insecurity, help kids find careers they enjoy and create more veteran outreach.

“No more backdoor deals. No more, you know, last-minute deals, giving our money away to corporations. We value our kids over corporations,” Zurhellen said.

Early voting runs from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5. Election Day is Nov. 7.