Joseph Ruggiero Quits Bridge Authority To Run For County Exec

Former Wappinger Town Supervisor Joseph Ruggiero, who has been executive director of the New York State Bridge Authority for nine years, resigned Friday to run again for Dutchess County executive.

The Dutchess County Democratic Committee met Monday to endorse Ruggiero to run against Republican incumbent Marc Molinaro in the fall, recordonline said.

Ruggiero was first elected as councilman in 1994, was a deputy state comptroller and ran unsuccessfully for county executive against then-incumbent William Steinhaus, midhudsonnews.com said.

“I’ve lived in Dutchess County my entire life and have a full understanding of the challenges facing our residents,” Ruggiero said in a prepared statement.

“Whether it’s rising energy costs, increasing property taxes, a mounting county fiscal crisis or just making ends meet around the kitchen table, I know what families are dealing with in Dutchess County,” he said.

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