Hear from candidates for comptroller and county court

With Election Day approaching, attention turns to some of the county’s high-profile contested races. This week, we’re taking a closer look at the candidates for Dutchess County Comptroller and County Court Judge as the final campaign hours wind down.

Dutchess County Court Judge

Ned McLoughlin — Incumbent, Republican

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Ned McLoughlin has served as Dutchess County Court Judge since 2015, presiding over some of the county’s most serious criminal and civil cases. A lifelong resident of Dutchess County, McLoughlin has spent more than three decades in public service, including 23 years as a prosecutor and a decade as a judge.

“I’m most proud that during my 10 years on the bench, I have delivered severe sentences to those convicted of violent crimes, while also helping defendants overcome the illness of addiction using the tools of the court, as well as a myriad of programs designed to get people back to a law-abiding life and strengthen their families,” McLoughlin said.

Community safety, combating addiction and providing access to mental health services are top priorities for McLoughlin. “The top three issues for the county are safety from violent crimes, confronting the scourge of addiction from fentanyl and providing greater access for those with mental illness who find their way into the criminal courts,” he said.

McLoughlin’s career combines extensive courtroom experience with community engagement. He regularly meets with constituents at their doors, hosts hundreds of jurors for trial selection and opens his courtroom to high school classes to provide students with insight into the criminal justice system. “I attend community events to always hear the voices of my community and their concerns,” he said.

McLoughlin spent more than two decades in the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, handling felony prosecutions including homicides, assaults and robberies. As Bureau Chief, he supervised senior assistant district attorneys and oversaw plea negotiations, grand jury presentations and trials.

McLoughlin has also served as an Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice since 2017, presiding over civil cases ranging from medical malpractice to foreclosures. He is a longtime adjunct professor of criminal justice at Marist College and has coached high school mock trial teams.

“I believe my 23 years as a successful prosecutor, having never lost a trial in county court, along with my 10 years on the bench – providing safety and help for defendants and victims – prove that I have the proper experience to continue in my role,” McLoughlin said.

A lifelong Dutchess County resident, McLoughlin lives with his wife of 33 years and they share four children.

Kara Gerry — Democrat

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Kara Gerry is running for Dutchess County Court Judge, bringing a career spent entirely in the county’s courts and a lifelong connection to the community. She grew up in Dutchess County, attending Our Lady of Lourdes, Marist College and Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. She and her husband, Niles, are raising their three children locally.

“I’m a lifelong Dutchess County resident,” Gerry said. “Professionally, I’ve spent my entire career in our courts — first as a prosecutor, and now as a public defender. That experience on both sides of the courtroom has shown me the importance of balance — holding people accountable while also understanding the circumstances that lead them there.”

Gerry said she is running because she believes justice should be both fair and compassionate. “I’ve seen where our system works and where it fails, and I want to help build a court that keeps people safe while addressing the root causes of crime,” she said.

Community safety is a central focus for Gerry, who also emphasizes fairness in sentencing. “People deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods,” she said, adding that fairness and equality in sentencing is another priority. “No one’s background, race or income should affect the outcome in court.”

Gerry is also advocating for stronger access to treatment and rehabilitation programs. “Mental health, addiction services and education reduce repeat offenses and strengthen families,” she said. “Courts should be part of a solution, not just a system of punishment.”

Her professional experience sets her apart from her opponent, Gerry said. “My opponent was only ever a prosecutor before he took the bench. I’ve been both a prosecutor and a public defender — I’ve seen justice from every angle. That balance matters.” Gerry has worked directly with victims, families and people struggling with addiction and mental illness and says she will bring fairness, compassion and accountability, and “not ideology,” to the bench.

Gerry said transparency and public trust are critical. “Judges can’t take political positions, but they can listen. The public deserves a judiciary that reflects its values — fairness, accessibility and respect. My goal is to make justice something people can see and trust in every courtroom,” she said.

Dutchess County Comptroller

Dan Aymar-Blair — Incumbent, Democrat

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Dan Aymar-Blair is the Democratic incumbent serving as Dutchess County Comptroller. Elected in 2024, he began his first term in January 2025 and brings more than 20 years of experience managing government budgets, including 15 years overseeing financial operations at the New York City Department of Education.

Most of Aymar-Blair’s previous experience was in financial operations, managing not just budgets, but also human resources, facilities and other aspects of operations. Additionally, he served on the Beacon City Council for four years where he advocated for housing policy reforms, electrification initiatives and better public safety and emergency response capabilities.

Aymar-Blair said his motivation for running for Comptroller stemmed from a lifelong commitment to public service combined with his professional expertise. “This job brings those together. It’s rewarding work, and I’m blessed to have an amazing team that shares that mission,” he said.

Since taking office, Aymar-Blair has focused on increasing transparency and public engagement. He said his office’s reports have been read five times more than any previous reports from the department, and he has hosted 11 town halls around the county to listen and educate residents on budgets and county operations. “I’ve always envisioned this office not just as a tool for improving government, but also for educating the public. People have been very responsive to that,” he said.

Aymar-Blair said his independence allows him to approach issues objectively. Unlike his opponent, he says, “I haven’t been in the county legislature for 10 years making policy, so I can look at everything through clear eyes and total objectivity. I don’t have to pull any punches because of alliances or past commitments. I can just do the work freely, unencumbered by politics.”

Key priorities for Aymar-Blair include housing affordability, cost-of-living concerns, efficiency in government and oversight of large real estate projects. He is also monitoring how the county uses artificial intelligence, ensuring privacy protections are in place for residents.

“A big part of my job has been to demystify the Comptroller’s Office — to help people understand what it is, why it matters and how it can be an agent of change,” he said. “Every day my office is auditing claims. We’ll kick back a payment for $1.5 million if it’s not appropriate — and we’ll do it with the same zeal for a $12 payment. It’s all about accuracy and accountability.”

For Aymar-Blair, the role is about serving the community first. “Partisanship doesn’t matter here. My job as Comptroller is to ensure that the work is nonpartisan,” he said. “Dutchess County is almost a microcosm of the United States — you can be in downtown Poughkeepsie and half an hour later be in the rolling hills of northeastern Dutchess. It’s absolutely gorgeous. I’m proud to help it run well for the people who live here.”

Will Truitt — Republican

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Will Truitt is a Republican candidate for Dutchess County Comptroller, seeking to bring a decade of experience in county government and private sector financial management to the office. A lifelong Dutchess County resident, Truitt has spent the past 10 years serving in the county legislature while simultaneously managing finances for Metzger Construction and several small water utility companies for the past eight years.

“I’m a lifelong Dutchess County resident. I’ve lived here all 30 years of my life,” Truitt said. He attended FDR High School in Hyde Park and went to Marist College, where he studied business finance and accounting and minored in economics.

Truitt said his interest in public service started early. As a freshman at Marist, he interned in County Executive Marc Molinaro’s office, learning how the county’s now $631 million budget is crafted. At just 19, Truitt ran for the legislature against an incumbent and won, beginning a decade-long career in county government.

“Once I graduated from Marist, I began full-time work at Metzger Construction in Hopewell Junction.” Truitt describes the company as a small, family-owned business doing multimillion-dollar work each year. “I manage money for a living. Between that private sector experience and my 10 years of public service, I believe it’s the perfect blend to be our next county comptroller,” Truitt said.

Truitt added that he is running to serve all residents and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. “There’s no way to serve as a Republican or Democratic comptroller,” he said. “You’re in that office solely to keep a watchful eye over taxpayer dollars. A comptroller who’s looking to push a political agenda would not be in the best interest of our county.”

Key priorities for Truitt include sustaining Dutchess County’s strong financial footing, maintaining its double A-plus bond rating and analyzing contracts to ensure emergency medical services remain efficient amid declining volunteer numbers. He also emphasizes supporting small businesses and tourism, which make up a large portion of county revenue.

“My father was a police canine sergeant in Hyde Park and was always involved in the community. I think that’s where my interest started,” Truitt said. “I’ve knocked on over 7,000 doors across all of Dutchess County’s towns, cities and villages. People should know who is representing them. When you meet people face to face, you get to learn their big concerns and that gives you the insight to do the job better.”

Truitt said his campaigns have always been grassroots-focused. “Regardless of the outcome of the election, I’m proud that I’ve been able to serve Dutchess County for the last 10 years.”