LOCAL POLITICS Koetzle leaving as head of county GOP

Schenectady County GOP Committee Chairman Chris Koetzle is stepping down from that political leadership post to focus more on his family and his Glenville supervisor re-election bid.

“I have given this much thought and have talked extensively with my wife and members of the executive committee over the past months,” wrote Koetzle Friday in his farewell letter. “I have given what I can to the party and believe that now is the time to focus on my job (that I love), my campaign and (most importantly) my family.”

Koetzle, a married father of three adult children who also serves as Glenville supervisor, touted his accomplishments over the past two years. He’s being challenged by Town Board member Mike Aragosa, a Democrat.

In his letter, Koetzle cited among other things expanding the party’s committee members, fielding the most diverse slate of local candidates in the 2021 election, promoting the most number of female candidates to run for local office, rebuilding relations with the county Conservative Party, and building coalitions across the county.

He cited eliminating debts and now having a positive balance after successful fundraising efforts PRE-COVID. He reminded everyone that he reluctantly took over the job after Mike Cuevas left to become a Schenectady County Supreme Court judge.

Koetzle said he is announcing his decision now “to give the party at least 60 days to find a suitable chairperson” and will transition more day-to-day oversight to vice chair Paul Delorenzo.

“Paul will begin working with the candidates through September when the Committee can elect a new Chairperson into the full two-year term,” Koetzle said.