Kavanagh joins race for Ulster DA
Chief prosecutor’s father held post for 20 years
Michael J. Kavanagh, a top Ulster County prosecutor, announced Saturday that he will run for district attorney in November’s election. Kavanagh, a Republican, announced his candidacy in a press release issued Saturday afternoon. He hopes to succeed his boss, District Attorney Holley Carnright of Saugerties, who is not seeking re-election.
“Today, I am proud to announce that I will seek election as Ulster County’s next district attorney,” Kavanagh said. “I have been a professional prosecutor for almost 20 years, the last four as chief assistant to District Attorney Holley Carnright.”
Carnright announced earlier that he wasn’t running for re-election after 12 years as district attorney.
Kavanagh’s father, E. Michael Kavanagh, was Ulster County district attorney from 1978 to 1998, before being elected to the state Supreme Court bench.
On the Democratic side, Woodstock lawyer David Clegg has launched a bid for the district attorney’s seat. Clegg ran unsuccessfully in last year’s Democratic primary in New York’s 19th Congressional District.
Kavanagh said his experience in Carnright’s office makes him the right choice.
“That experience — successfully prosecuting murderers, rapists, child abusers, burglars, armed robbers, and individuals who seek to sell illicit drugs to our children — has taught me all too well how important, how difficult and how challenging this job can be,” Kavanagh said. “Representing victims of terrible crimes and seeing that they, their families and loved ones receive a fair measure of justice in our criminal justice system is an immense responsibility, and it is a public service
that has been my privilege to render.”
In the release, Kavanagh said he also has experience working with law enforcement.
“Working with the good men and women in law enforcement, who have dedicated their lives to protecting
the law-abiding citizens of our community and ensuring that Ulster County continues to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
“But, my vision as the district attorney of Ulster County is broader than prosecuting criminals,” said Kavanagh, who is the father of two daughters. “Prevention, through vital initiatives such
as the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention program, which takes a proactive approach to preventing domestic violence, and our continued partnership with addiction recovery agencies to raise awareness during this opioid epidemic, is essential to the health and safety of this community.”
Kavanagh said he feels a warm attachment to Ulster County.
“I am running for Ulster
County district attorney so I can use my experience to continue to fight for the victims of crime and to make this county the safest it can be,” he said.
Kavanagh is married and has two daughters.
The Ulster County Democratic Committee is scheduled to hold its nominating convention on Wednesday, Feb. 20, followed by the county Republican Committee convention on Saturday, Feb. 23.