Former state trooper launches bid to become sheriff
A former state trooper has announced he will challenge Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum for the Democratic nomination to run in the general election in November.
In a press release announcing his candidacy, Juan Figueroa, a registered Democrat, cited what he said has been his lifelong commitment to service, and he promised to represent all residents, regardless of political affiliation or background.
In a video accompanying the announcement, Figueroa said, “I served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a chief warrant officer, and 25 in the New York state police. I patrolled the roads of Ulster County and worked in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations. I have successfully taken down drug cartels, worked to stop corruption and fought to keep us safe abroad. I believe that law enforcement and the community need to work as a team and that we need a proactive approach to fix the problems we face as a Ulster County, especially issues like the heroin/opioid epidemic. I am committed to working with the medical field and the families that need and seek help.
“We can not just arrest our way out of this problem,” he said.
Figueroa said he has been a resident of the town of Plattekill for nearly 40 years.
VanBlarcum, also a registered Democrat, is serving his third four-year term as sheriff. He said in November that he planned to begin his re-election campaign in the early spring.
Saugerties Police Chief Joseph Sinagra, who had said in November that he was considering entering the race for sheriff, said on Feb. 23 that he had decided not to run.