POUGHKEEPSIE – State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson administered the ceremonial oath of office to the 25 Dutchess County legislators at their 2026 reorganizational meeting. The 15 Democrats and 10 Republicans, along with a standing-room-only gallery, listened intently as the longtime Democratic influencer offered advice to the freshman legislators and a refresher course for returning legislators.
“There’s an old saying,” he began. “When new people get elected to a legislature, for the first month, they wonder how they got there, and for the rest of the time, they wonder how everybody else got there,” while many veteran electeds in the room nodded their heads in agreement.
Jacobson’s advice for being an “effective” legislator:
“Do your homework. Be prepared. Go to committee meetings and caucus meetings so you can ask your questions early on and not at the full public meeting,” he said, and explained why the advice is worthwhile. “There is nothing more annoying than someone asking questions at the public session on a matter that was fully discussed at length in committee or in your caucus.”
“Don’t talk for the sake of talking. And keep it short,” he said, with a smile. “If you can’t make your argument in less than three minutes, you don’t know your arguments well enough. When you were campaigning and going door-to-door, you didn’t have that much time. Usually, you had only 45 seconds to one minute to make your pitch initially until the voters told you to get off their porch.”
His final piece of advice was met with widespread laughter. “Bring cough drops and extra pens. I made a bunch of new friends on the (Newburgh) Council by bringing pens and cough drops. Some of your colleagues might vote for your resolution because they like you, since you bring pens and cough drops. Try it, it might work for you.”
In practicing what he preached, Jacobson, less than three minutes after he began, wrapped up his speech and administered the oath to the lawmakers.
Freshman Legislator Lew Darrow (R-Hyde Park) took the oath for his first term on Monday and listened to Jacobson. “I am grateful to Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, who administered the oath and reminded everyone to “do their homework.” It’s advice I will take heart not just in committee rooms and before board meetings, but also when I’m out in the community, listening and learning to what truly matters to those I represent. I’m ready to get to work.”
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