Far outpaces Democratic opponent in executive race
Sue Serino, the former state senator whose district included the Highlands, has raised $225,000 for her Republican campaign to become the next Dutchess County executive, far outpacing her Democratic opponent, Tommy Zurhellen.
Both announced their campaigns in February and made their most recent reports to the county Board of Elections on July 17. Zurhellen, a Navy veteran who is an English professor at Marist, has raised $35,000.
According to the Hudson Valley Pilot, Serino has received contributions from the Dutchess County Deputy Sheriff Police Benevolent Association, the New York State Correctional Officers, the Civil Service Employees Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Zurhellen received a donation from the Communication Workers of America District 1, but most of his support has come from individuals. Karen Smythe, a Democrat who lost state Senate races to Serino in 2018 and 2020, gave $1,000.
