There’s a new sheriff in town

Figueroa thanks backers after ousting VanBlarcum

Juan Figueroa says voters who elected him to be Ulster County’s new sheriff took his message to heart and propelled him to victory.

“This campaign has always been about you, and [on Tuesday] you made history!” Figueroa posted on Facebook. “Over the last few months, you shared your stories, you knocked on doors, you made phone calls, you wrote letters and you gave your time and money.”

Figueroa, 53, a former state police investigator and U.S. Marine, beat VanBlarcum by a tally

of 37,945 to 33,814 in Tuesday’s election, a margin of 53 to 47 percent, denying the sheriff a fourth fouryear term.

Both men are registered Democrats, but VanBlarcum ran on the Republican line after being denied the Democratic nomination first by party leaders at a convention in May and then voters, by a whopping 4-to-1 margin, in a September primary.

VanBlarcum fell out of favor with local Democrats over his call for licensed gun owners to carry their firearms, his criticisms of NFL players who kneeled during the national anthem, his short-lived policy of checking welfare recipients for outstanding warrants, and a visit to the White House in which he posed for a photo with President Donald Trump.

“It is really safe to say that that those incidents kind of rubbed Democrats [and other voters] the wrong way,” Ulster County Democrat Chairman Frank Cardinale said Wednesday.

After all, Cardinale said, “we are a legitimately blue county with mostly progressive Democrats, and they didn’t like it.”

But Cardinale said Figueroa won on his merits, too.

“He was a very, very good candidate,” the chairman said. “He was credible and likable and believable.”

Figueroa said on Facebook that his supporters “believed in our message, and I promise that when I take office, I will work tirelessly to tackle the opioid epidemic ... [and] will work to foster mutual respect between law enforcement and the community . ...

“I know the responsibility that comes with this office, and I look forward to working with the men and woman in the Sheriff’s Department to serve you,” he added.

Figueroa becomes sheriff at the beginning of January, and he said late Tuesday that he will being working with a transition team this month.

To VanBlarcum, the sheriff-elect wrote: “I both salute and commend you for your years of service and dedication to the people of Ulster

County.”

VanBlarcum could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and he made no online statement about the election result.

A Clintondale resident, Figueroa is a 1983 graduate of Wallkill High School. He served in the Marines, both active duty and reserves, from 1983 to 2006, and he was a member of the state police from 1994 to 2013.

Prior to the election, Figueroa said he would take a comprehensive approach to the opioid issue that would promote education, prevention and treatment. He also said he would work closely with county health and treatment agencies to reach people asking for help with their addiction, and with the county Legislature to promote effective methods to

combat the epidemic.

Figueroa also said he wants to build bridges between law enforcement and the public by partnering with government agencies, community organizations, faith-based programs, families and youths to promote mutual respect and understanding. He said members of the Sheriff’s Office would meet with residents in public forums, regular interactions and through outreach.

Figueroa also said he would promote strong policies in the office that foster a culture of learning and self-improvement and provide equitable merit recognition for employees. He said he would establish a positive, nonpolitical office with zero tolerance for racial or sexual harassment, or for favoritism.