Orange County Democrats Break Legislative Supermajority, Make Significant Local Election Gains
Party’s Coordinated Strategy Delivers Record Democratic Turnout and Sets Stage for 2026 Expansion
Goshen, NY – The Orange County Democratic Party is celebrating historic victories in last week’s November 2025 election – making sizable gains in the Orange County Legislature, flipping three Republican held Town Supervisor seats, shifting the balance of power on several town boards, and defending nearly all Democratic incumbents.
While one race remains too close to call, (District 5) Orange County Democrats have broken the long-time Republican supermajority, and are expected to hold at least nine seats in the 21-member County Legislature – shifting the balance of power to 11 (Rep), 9 (Dem), 1 (Ind). Incumbent Legislators Genesis Ramos (District 6) and Laurie Tautel (District 14) were reelected by substantial margins. They will provide continuing leadership for their constituents and the Democratic caucus. The nine Democrats expected to represent districts are:
District 2 - Jonathan Redeker
District 4 - Gabrielle Hill
District 6 - Leg. Genesis Ramos, Re-Elected
District 11 - Deshanda Carter
District 12 - Virginia Scott
District 14 - Leg. Laurie Tautel, Re-Elected
District 15 - Matthew Fascaldi
District 16 - Stephen Hunter
District 20 - Sparrow Tobin
Together, this new Democratic caucus represents the most diverse team Orange County has ever sent to Goshen — educators, parents, small business owners, and public servants committed to restoring accountability and making local government work again.
Each of these legislative candidates were supported by the Orange County Democratic Party’s newly-launched development and support initiative, designed to recruit new working-class voices, effectively compete, and win. For the first time in at least 30 years, more registered Democrats voted in an odd-year/ local election cycle than Republicans. In total, the Orange County Democratic Party ran candidates in 19 of the 21 legislative districts.
“From day one, we set out to transform our party’s local election strategy, starting by aggressively recruiting candidates who actually understand the lives and concerns of their working-class neighbors,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chair Zak Constantine, in his first county election cycle leading the organization. “We ran a coordinated campaign that treated local races with the same urgency as national ones. We met voters where they were, especially young people and voters who don’t always feel local elections speak to them — and we proved that when you show up for communities with a message of affordability and opportunity, they show up for us. More than anything, these results reflect a simple truth: when Democrats compete everywhere, we win in places the old political class wrote off.”
Additionally, Orange County Democrats succeeded in municipal races across the county. In Wallkill Frank DenDanto will return to Town Hall as Supervisor, replacing retiring Republican George Serrano, alongside a Democratic Majority on the Town Council. In Monroe, Councilwoman Maureen Richardson unseated incumbent Supervisor Tony Cardone, with both Democratic Town Council candidates also unseating Republican incumbents. And in Woodbury, former Democratic Councilwoman Jackie Hernandez unseated incumbent Supervisor Kathryn Luciani.
“Orange County voters responded to a Democratic message that is grounded in everyday life — affordability, accountability, and a government that respects the dignity of working people,” said Legislator Genesis Ramos. “Our candidates didn’t run on slogans. They ran on service, they ran on listening, and they ran on actually showing up with plans to address the housing crisis, expand public transportation, and protect our natural resources and open spaces. That authenticity is why we earned support from Democrats, independents, and Republicans who are ready for a new kind of leadership.”
Even while in the superminority, Ramos was selected to chair the County Legislature’s Human Services Committee, and Legislator Laurie Tautel chairs the Health & Mental Health Committee, two of the most consequential committees in county government. Their appointed leadership roles demonstrate that the Democratic caucus has earned genuine bipartisan trust, forged strong coalitions, and is ready to advance a policy agenda centered on community well-being.
Building on its success in 2025, Orange County Democrats plan to expand their “Passion Into Action” candidate recruitment and training program with the goal of competing in more municipalities, and delivering more resources to candidates interested in serving their communities.
“This has been an historic year for Democrats in Orange County. We’ve set ambitious targets and achieved our goals. We’re perfecting the systems that can help future candidates reach voters in every community. With the new cycle, we’ll have early local elections next year in every county municipality that coincide with the midterm elections. We’re ready to go. I couldn’t be more excited about our resources, our team, and our momentum as we push for even greater gains in 2026 and beyond,” said Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Zak Constantine
The Orange County Democratic Committee is the organization that oversees and provides coordination for the largest political party in Orange County, NY. We support dynamic candidates with new ideas and diverse life experiences, who are committed to addressing the needs of our working-class neighbors.
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