Goshen - The room probably didn't look like this when Carl DuBois announced he was running for Orange County sheriff four years ago.
But yesterday, at a coffee-and-cookies-in-the-back affair at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame and Museum, DuBois was at the podium again, taking aim at another term.
And surrounding him was a strong showing by local Republican leaders.
Give a nod to state Sens. John Bonacic, R-C-Mount Hope, and Bill Larkin, R-C-New Windsor. A kiss on the cheek to Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, R-Greenwood Lake, and U.S. Representative Sue Kelly, R-Katonah.
There's County Executive Ed Diana and Newburgh Mayor Nick Valentine. And there are the sheriffs from Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess counties, along with Sheriff Mike Schiff from Sullivan County.
Four years ago, Carl DuBois was an unknown police lieutenant from Middletown gearing up to oust two-term Republican Sheriff Frank Bigger.
Now, as the 51-year-old Mount Hope resident seeks a second term, he's the well-heeled incumbent with a reputation for turning around Orange County's much-maligned sheriff's office.
But first he must fend off his own challenge from a Republican upstart. New York City Detective Sgt. Thomas Carton, who lives in Monroe, announced his campaign earlier this month. Carton claims the sheriff's office has been wracked by internal strife since DuBois took over.
