Photos of 2024 Democratic candidates.

Pictured left to right, top to bottom. Click names for more information.

Dutchess County Comptroller, Dan Aymar-Blair

NY Assembly District 103, Sarahana Shrestha*
Includes Red Hook, Rhinebeck, and Tivoli.

NY Assembly District 104, Jonathan Jacobson *
Includes Beacon and Poughkeepsie.

NY Assembly District 106, Didi Barrett*
Includes Hyde Park and much of northern Dutchess.

NY State Senate District 39, Yvette Valdes-Smith
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Includes parts of Poughkeepsie and much of southern Dutchess.

NY State Senate District 41, Michelle Hinchey*
Includes Hyde Park, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and more.

US Congress NY-17, Mondaire Jones
Includes Beekman, East Fishkill, Pawling in southern Dutchess.

US Congress NY-18, Pat Ryan*
Northern Dutchess plus Beacon, Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, and more.

* = Running for re-election

Not pictured: Brett Broge for NYS Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District, including Dutchess County. Website coming soon.

Your reps at the Democratic Convention

Chris Drago, Dutchess County legislator, District 19, entered public service after establishing a successful career in marketing, including leadership roles at Hewlett Packard, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Mailchimp. Drago grew up in Dutchess County and is a graduate of Vassar College. He lives in the Town of Stanford with his partner, and is dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth and fostering inclusive schools and communities.

Lisa Kaul is a Dutchess County legislator (District 6) where she serves on committees and task forces related to the environment, county services (including the airport), and the needs of young children. Lisa has worked extensively with local non-profits, and her contributions have been recognized by the Barrett Art Center (now part of the The Art Effect) and the Real Skills Network. A Rhodes Scholar, she earned a PhD in anthropology from the University of Oxford. Lisa lives in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

Julie Shiroishi is executive director of Eleanor’s Legacy, which supports and trains pro-choice Democratic women running for state and local office. She is currently a vice chair of the NYS Democratic Committee. Julie is committed to preserving democracy, our environment, and reproductive freedoms for future generations as well as to honor her late father, a Japanese American internee during World War II. She is a graduate of UC-Berkeley and lives in Beacon.