Last week at its official convention, the Orange County Democratic Committee nominated its strongest-ever set of candidates for county-wide elections. The committee named noted civil rights attorney Michael Sussman its nominee for County Executive and highly-respected former prosecutor Alan Joseph nominee for District Attorney. In addition, the Democrats will contest seats with endorsed candidates in an extraordinary 19 county legislative districts.
Release attached, along with a photo (CREDIT: Gloria Bonelli) Additional photos are available upon request. Please feel free to reach out for interviews, or for the availability of our candidates.
Zak Constantine, Chairman of the Orange County Democratic Party
PHONE: (845) 772-1931
ORANGE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES HISTORIC SLATE OF ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR 2025 COUNTY ELECTIONS
Noted Civil Rights Lawyer Michael Sussman Named
Democratic Nominee for County Executive
Former Orange County Chief Assistant District Attorney Alan Joseph Nominated to be Next Orange County District Attorney
Democrats to Run Competitive Legislative Candidates in Nineteen Legislative Districts Across Orange County
February 24, 2025 – Chester, NY – The Orange County Democratic Committee (OCDC) today announced the results of its nominating convention for county offices to be contested in the November 2025 elections. The county’s Democratic leaders voted unanimously to select civil rights lawyer Michael Sussman as their nominee for County Executive and former prosecutor and Chief Assistant District Attorney Alan Joseph as candidate for District Attorney. Additionally, nineteen nominees from districts across the county were endorsed as County Legislative candidates.
The convention was held on Sunday, February 23 at the Chester Senior Center. The nineteen endorsed legislative candidates are an historic total for either political party, exceeding County Republicans’ endorsed candidates this year by more than 25%.
"Our Democratic Party in Orange County insists on better, expects more, and is ready to redefine county government with a fresh and dynamic approach. This historic slate is proof that when neighbors, working families, and community leaders unite around real ideas, we become a force that cannot be ignored. We're rolling up our sleeves in every corner of Orange County – and we're just getting started,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chair Zak Constantine
Michael Sussman is a Goshen-based attorney with extensive experience in government and law, with a career-long focus on anti-corruption, individual rights, civil rights and religious freedom. He has also been a leader in battles against unchecked and unsafe development, including the fight against the scandal-ridden CPV power plant in Wawayanda. Over his career he has successfully represented citizens ignored by the government, police falsely accused of wrongdoing and whistleblowers calling attention to public and private misconduct. Prior to his private practice, Sussman was an attorney at the US Department of Justice and served as counsel for the NAACP. He lives in Chester with his wife Lee, and he previously served as a Chester Town Councilman.
“It’s time for leadership that will unlock Orange County’s potential and create real opportunity for the hardworking people who live here,” said Michael Sussman. “The current regime’s careless approach to economic development has turned our county into a waystation for developers and special interests, who receive torrents of taxpayer dollars while providing little to no value. As County Executive, I am committed to finding meaningful solutions to make our community a place where people of all backgrounds can thrive.”
District Attorney Nominee Alan Joseph has been an Orange County prosecutor, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney and a solo practitioner who has appeared in all courts in Orange and surrounding counties for almost 45 years. While in the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Joseph rose to the position of Chief Assistant District Attorney, with responsibilities that included oversight of the prosecution of all criminal cases, supervision of the professional and clerical staff, conduct and oversight of complex investigations, case negotiation and evaluation, staff training, and serving as Acting District Attorney when required. After leaving the DA’s Office in 1991, he established his own law office in Goshen, NY. His practice includes criminal law, family law, matrimonial, estate, civil litigation, corporate/business and real estate law. Joseph has lived in Orange County since 1983. He has 5 children and 6 grandchildren, many of whom have attended school and work in Orange County. Born in Monticello, NY, he currently lives in the Town of Wawayanda with his partner Ellen Kaye.
Joseph said, “Orange County residents deserve an effective, efficient and ethical District Attorney, who will keep our community safe by applying the law with integrity and conscience. I am proud of my strong record and deep connections in our community, and as District Attorney I commit to earning the votes of our citizens every day through innovation, diligence and good work. I am eager to return to work with our outstanding Assistant District Attorneys, relieve them of the scandal and distraction they have been subject to over the last several years and restore pride in leadership.”
County Legislator Laurie Tautel said, “I am proud of the hard work by the Orange County Democratic Committee and the candidates that have come forward to run for county offices. This team represents the change Orange County so desperately needs. I look forward to working with them during this election and as elected officials. Onward to victory!”
In addition to countywide races for County Executive and District Attorney, OCDC nominated the following candidates for County Legislature:
District 2 Jonathan Redeker
District 3 Steve Diffley
District 4 Genesis Ramos, for re-election
District 5 Stephanie Powell
District 6 Gabrielle Hill (defeated incumbent legislator Kevindaryan Lujan)
District 8 Orion Blake
District 9 Shauna Best (defeated incumbent legislator and Minority Leader Mike Paduch)
District 10 Maria May
District 11 Eric Valentin
District 12 Virginia Scott
District 13 Michael Cox
District 14 Laurie Tautel, for re-election
District 15 Matt Fascaldi
District 16 Stephen Hunter
District 17 Karina Tipton
District 18 Moniysha Maldonado
District 19 Deirdre Post
District 20 Sparrow Tobin
District 21 Johanna Kiernan
The Orange County Democratic Committee is reserving its decision to endorse in the county-level judicial races, as they continue to seek qualified candidates ready to step up, run, and serve their communities. The party is also committed to contesting every race at the town and village level and encourages passionate leaders to visit www.ocnydemocrats.org/runningforoffice to learn more about being a potential candidate for one of these positions.
Orange County elections will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.