TOWN OF NEWBURGH – It could take several days to determine the winner of the hotly contested Town of Newburgh Supervisor’s race between Republican Scott Manley and Democrat Stephen Krasner.
Krasner led Manley by seven votes, 5,861 to 5,854, according to unofficial returns on Tuesday night, with 24 of 27 election districts reporting. Approximately 218 affidavits must be reviewed by the Orange County Board of Elections (BOE), as well as about 281 absentee ballots, which must be received by Nov. 11.
The winner will replace Gil Piaquadio, who is retiring at the end of the year after 23 years of service to the town, including the last 12 as Supervisor.
“Once again, this shows how every vote counts,” Manley said. “Now it is a waiting game until the final tally.”
Krasner did not return a message seeking comment for this story.
The race has drawn attention beyond the town amid a campaign marked by personal attacks, questions about campaign finance disclosures and controversy involving Democratic Orange County Legislator Stephen Hunter and his partner, Joshua Huckabee, who only moved to Orange County about five years ago from Ohio.
Manley faced accusations of racism and homophobia from Huckabee, allegations that prompted heavy criticism from members of the LGBTQ+ community and civil rights attorney Michael Sussman. Manley’s son and brother are gay, and his mother, Anita Manley, a Democrat, has been an advocate in the LGBTQ+ community for decades.
Hunter and Huckabee’s conduct has drawn criticism from Republicans and some fellow Democrats, who have called their actions damaging to the party’s reputation.
“Stephen Hunter appears able to look at his own district and has repeatedly put himself in a position showing that his representation is one-sided,” Republican Orange County Legislator Kathy Stenenga said. “Once elected, we have the responsibility to look at and consider the impact on every county resident. This is not, and should never be, an “us” against “them,” as the Democrats have demonstrated over the last year. We should be addressing the issues. The issues do not have a letter associated with them; they affect every political party, race, religion, and resident in our county.”
Krasner also faced scrutiny over campaign services provided by Huckabee, owner of political services company Kwill.io LLC. Krasner acknowledged receiving a free campaign website, hosting and assistance with campaign mailers. After questions from Mid-Hudson News, he amended a July campaign finance filing to report $228 in in-kind services that were not included in the original filing. Election law experts questioned whether the amount reflected the fair market value of the services.
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