Kirwan elected for 5th term

By Nik Bonopartis
Poughkeepsie Journal

Republican incumbent Thomas J. Kirwan is headed back to the state Assembly after defeating challengers from the Independence and Green parties Tuesday.

The 69-year-old Kirwan, who ran on the Republican, Conservative and Right To Life lines, will serve a fifth two-year term representing the 100th District, unofficial results said. He will earn a $79,500 salary.

Kirwan was challenged by war veteran and Independent Gerard Mileo, 72, of the Town of Newburgh and activist Dan Searles, 48, of the Green Party.

''We're thrilled with the victory,'' Kirwan's campaign manager George Meyers said. ''Tom's done a good job representing the district.''

Kirwan stressed streamlining the state's inflated budget, especially in a post-terrorism economic dry spell. He also favors funding education through income tax instead of property tax, a move he said would alleviate pressure on business while evening out education money among districts.

Robert Ranieri of Poughkeepsie said he voted for Kirwan because of the assemblyman's values.

''He's a conservative, and I lean towards the conservative philosophy,'' he said.

The 100th Assembly district includes the cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon in Dutchess County, the town and city of Newburgh in Orange County and parts of Ulster County, including the towns of Esopus, Marlborough and Lloyd.