TRR photo by David Hulse Aileen Gunther announced her candidacy to fill her late husband’s Assembly seat on August 5. (Click for larger image)

Gunther is running

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO, NY — Before a vocal audience that packed the lobby of the Sullivan County Government Center, Aileen Gunther, widow of Jacob Gunther III, announced her candidacy on Tuesday to fill his vacant state Assembly seat.

County Clerk George Cooke, as he often does, took on the role of emcee announcing dignitaries and family members in a voice that politicians use at national conventions to vote the state delegations choice for president.

After Cooke brought the audience up, Sullivan County Democratic Party chair Robert Krutman took the podium, doing his best to restrain tears as he spoke of the late assemblyman. In introducing the candidate, Krutman said he wished he could “say it was a pleasure, but it is an honor.”

It was that kind of announcement. There was lots of supportive applause and some tears.

Orange County Democratic chair Jonathan Jacobs followed Krutman and delivered his party’s endorsement. Jacobs said the party was willing “to do whatever it takes to get her elected.”

The introduction of the candidate was left to Cooke, whose voice rose again as he introduced Aileen Gunther as “the person who knew Jake Gunther best.”

The candidate quoted her husband’s 1992 acceptance speech, when after winning election for the first time, he promised his “every ounce” of energy would be devoted to the job.

“I have lived my life responding to other’s needs,” the registered nurse and medical administrator said, adding, “I will continue to be your advocate. I will represent Orange and Sullivan counties with skill, compassion, commitment and determination,” she said.

This is the 49-year-old’s first run for elected office.

Gunther said in a prepared statement that she will seek the Conservative Party endorsement that her husband had carried.

The 98th District includes Sullivan County, and the cities of Middletown and Port Jervis in Orange County.

No Republican party opponent has yet announced a bid for the seat.