SEEKING NEW SEAT
Madigan enters Saratoga County Treasurer race as Democrat-endorsed candidate
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >> Michele Madigan has a long history of being involved in politics in Saratoga Springs, be it fulfilling the position of Spa City’s Commissioner of Finance for a decade or most recently winning a seat as one of the County Supervisors for the city.
She is looking to add another position to her resume as she has thrown her hat in the ring to run for County Treasurer.
“The voters of Saratoga Springs know me well, and actually, I think some of the voters of Saratoga County know me well just because of press coverage,” Madigan said. “One thing they should know is that I am eminently qualified for this position because I work hard on behalf of all of our taxpayers, city and county taxpayers.
“I would do this job well, on behalf of all our residents and taxpayers, and I have the experience needed for this position.”
Madigan explained she approached the Saratoga County Democratic Committee once she realized there was a vacancy in the position, Former County Treasurer Drew Jarosh recently resigned after holding the position since 2014, and that the Republican party had endorsed someone for the position.
“I spoke with the committee because I think it’s good to have a healthy balance in these county seats,” Madigan said. “I just think you have a better government when there’s accountability. Especially since it’s a presidential election, Democrats will be excited to come out and vote, or at least we hope, and I just thought it was worthwhile and that I should give this a chance.”
Democrats are currently in a minority when it comes to county election seats including county supervisors, which Madigan acknowledged, going on to explain that currently, she sits in a super minority of only four other Democrats out of the 23 county board supervisors.
This will be the first candidate the Democrats have
put up for treasurer since 2006, and while Madigan said it may be a bit of an uphill battle she looks to places like Clifton Park where Democrats saw big victories in the last election and feels inspired.
“I’m looking at the county and it is still you know, I want to say they (Republicans) have a majority, but if there was a time to run it would be now,” Madigan said. “I like working well with my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, at the county level and enjoyed working well with them while I sat on the city council, but we need a healthy balance. I think it brings more transparency to the County Board of Supervisors and to the county generally speaking.
“I still think we do good work because I’ve been on the Board of Supervisors now just a little over two months and we are accomplishing a lot, but I think it’s time for a healthy balance. Democrats and Republicans work together more, as equals at the county level. So that’s one of the reasons I’ve chosen to run.”
Madigan believes her experience as Commissioner of Finance has prepared her well for the role of County Treasurer and sees direct parallels in the responsibilities of managing county finances to her tenure in Saratoga Springs. She also noted that with more than 11 years of experience in a variety of elected roles, as well as her time campaigning, she believes she is a legitimate candidate due to her experience in the background. “It’s not like I’m just stepping up to run again. I just campaigned long and hard this last year and I’m tired, but I think it’s important that we have good representation by both Democrats and Republicans on these county seats and in the County Board of Supervisors — that’s why I’m stepping up yet again,” Madigan said.
Madigan explained that if she were to win the County Treasurer seat she would vacate her current position on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors
as it “just doesn’t seem right” and that in her eyes it would seem like there was a conflict of interest. If she does win and her County Board seat becomes open, the city council will be able to select someone to fill it.
Madigan will face off with the county’s current acting treasurer JoAnn Kupferman in November. Kupferman was endorsed by the Saratoga County Republican Committee in February.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to earn the trust and support of Saratoga
County residents, but even more humbled about the prospect of representing my community and county I love,” Kupferman said via a written statement in a release. “My 30 years of accounting experience will serve well as I work to continue the tradition of Saratoga County as a model of fiscal responsibility.
“I thank the members of the Saratoga County Republican Committee for their endorsement and look forward to working hard to earn the support of county residents this year.”