The City of Middletown mayoral race features two candidates: incumbent Democrat Joseph M. DeStefano and Time for Change challenger Joel Sierra.
Election Day is Nov. 4 and polling stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. across Orange County.
Early voting in the county will be held from Oct. 25 to Nov. 2 at eight local sites. Polls there will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
The voter registration deadline for the 2025 election is Oct. 25.
The two candidates, who are listed in alphabetical order, were asked about their qualifications and achievements, the issues facing the city, and the ways they think they have recently helped the city.
Joseph M. DeStefano (Democrat)
Website: destefano4mayor.com; Facebook: @ReElectDeStefano
A lifelong Middletown resident, incumbent Joe DeStefano has been Middletown’s mayor since 2010 and was previously mayor from 1994-2005.
“I’ve asked people to look around with their own eyes and look at the city today as compared to 15 years ago,” said DeStefano, “and they will clearly see that this city is on the rebound.”
Affordability is one of the biggest issues, said DeStefano, which is a national issue.
Citing the recent census, the mayor said that during his tenure, Middletown became one of the fastest growing cities in the state through infrastructural improvements, creation of new housing units, stable taxes and finances, and better quality of life with a strong school district.
DeStefano touted a reduction in crime through investments in the police department, not only through policing action but also through the social work aspect of policing, which his office introduced to the city a few years ago.
His downtown and citywide revitalization efforts contributed to growth in commercial as well as housing stock and in “giving people an opportunity for home ownership through our home ownership program, of affordability and rents through a good cause eviction legislation.”
Asking residents to consider his administration’s track record and citywide improvements, DeStefano said, they needed another term.
Joel Sierra (Time for Change)
Website: mayorsierra.com; Facebook: @LegislatorSierra
A lifelong Middletown resident, challenger Joel Sierra is the Orange County District 20 legislator, a former alderman and firefighter for the City of Middletown.
“We’ve had this same administration for the last 40-plus years,” said Sierra. “And I’d like to bring change and give people an opportunity on the ballot.”
The number one issue facing Middletown and the county, Sierra said, is affordable housing, though that is a statewide and national issue. He cited public safety as the next important concern, referring to a recent stabbing and a few shootings.
“The police force is doing the best they can with the resources they have,” said Sierra, but he would like to double the police force and double the fire force to reflect the population increase over the decades. “Technology doesn’t replace boots on the ground.”
His contributions to the city have included passing legislation related to sales tax revenue, tourism and the film industry, which helped the Orange County budget and disparities in the region.
He said he’s working on transportation with other legislators. With a subcommittee for affordable housing, Sierra said, the county is headed in the right direction.
Sierra said he will bring that experience to Middletown to help grow the city’s budget and enhance quality of life.
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: DeStefano, Sierra running for Middletown mayor. What their priorities are in 2025 race
Reporting by Vandana Saras, Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
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