×

Maroun, Dumas elected as lone Republicans on Franklin County board

(Enterprise photos)

TUPPER LAKE — In a long day of voting marked by many GOP victories, Republicans Paul Maroun and Andrea Dumas were elected to two of the seven seats on the Franklin County Board of Legislators.

Maroun wins District 6

The towns of Tupper Lake and Santa Clara chose to re-elect Paul Maroun for the District 6 seat on the Franklin County legislature.

Maroun, 64, the Republican candidate and longtime incumbent, garnered 1,137 votes, or approximately 56.2 percent of the vote over challenger Donald Dew Jr.’s. 883 votes, or 43.6 percent.

Maroun received 1,019 votes in the town of Tupper Lake over Dew’s 861. In the town of Santa Clara, Maroun received 118 votes while Dew earned 22. Poll results are unofficial and do not include absentee ballots.

“I want to thank everyone who supported me, and for the people who didn’t, I look forward to working with them to make the whole North Country a better place to live for everyone,” Maroun said.

Maroun, who has served on the legislature for a combined 29 years, also serves as the mayor of the village of Tupper Lake and legal counsel to state Sen. Betty Little.

He said he is looking forward to working on a number of issues for all the constituents in the area, including economic development, nurturing the Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office, and supporting the proposed Adirondack Club and Resort project.

“I’m Betty Little’s counsel, so I know what goes on in Albany, and (U.S. Rep.) Elise Stefanik and I are very good friends in Washington,” Maroun said.

Dew, 56, the owner of the Timber Lodge who ran under the Adirondack Revival Party banner, said he was disappointed he lost but encouraged by the number of people who turned out.

“I think at the end of the day, maybe Tupper Lake folks were OK with the way things were,” Dew said. “One of the things I did run on was giving the people a choice, and I did give them the opportunity for the choice, and they felt they were OK.”

He said he was unsure of his political future, but he feels Tupper Lake is on the cusp of many exciting projects. He said he will continue to be progressive as a businessman within the community and looks forward to working with Maroun in the future, especially on the Big Tupper Ski Area.

“Whether I’m an elected official or a businessman, I’m not going away by any means in terms of being active and what I think is good for the community,” Dew said.

Dumas wins District 3

Franklin County voters elected Dumas to serve as the county legislator for the District 3 seat, which includes the towns of Brighton, Duane, Bellmont and part of Malone.

Dumas, 45, earned 1,320 votes, 56.3 percent of the vote over Democratic candidate and county Highway Superintendent Jonathan Hutchins, 54, who received 1,024 votes, or 44 percent.

She will succeed retiring Democrat Gordy Crossman, giving Republicans a second seat on the seven-member board, with Maroun.

Dumas stopped by Donovan’s Steak and Ale in Malone, where Democrats gathered to hear the election results.

“I had to come and congratulate the Democrats because, like I’ve said before, no matter who wins, I’m going to work with everybody,” she said.

Dumas, who works in cyber-security for Twinstate Technologies, said she was excited to get the support of a majority of voters in the district.

“I was extremely nervous through the 9 o’clock hour until about 9:40, when I saw the numbers were going in my favor,” she said. “I was extremely excited with the results because I’ve worked my tail off for the past seven months. I’m excited to be part of what I think will be a real team effort.”

Democrats win other 5 districts

Paul Lauzon won District 1 over Michael McDonald, keeping the seat for the Democrats after the retirement of incumbent Guy “Tim” Smith.

Fellow Democrat Gregory Janisewski defeated Thomas MacDonald in District 2, replacing Democrat David “Billy” Jones who was elected to the state Assembly.

Democrat Carl Sherwin barely edged Republican Louise Taylor in District 4 at the polls, without absentee ballots.

Democrats Don Dabiew in District 5 and Barbara Rice in District 7 won re-election without opposition.

Managing Editor Peter Crowley contributed to this report.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today