HUGUENOT, NY — Three local Republican committees endorsed Town of Deerpark Supervisor Karl A. Brabenec for the New York State Assembly 98th district. The Republican town committees of Deerpark and Minisink and the City of Port Jervis Republican Committee voted to endorse Brabenec’s candidacy at their recent monthly meetings. Brabenec is running for the seat vacated by Annie Rabbit, who won an election to become the Orange County Clerk.

Brabenec is not the only Republican who has thrown his hat into the ring. Michael Morgillo, a veteran New York City police officer with 33 years on the job, is also seeking the Republican nomination.

On the other side of the aisle, Democrat Krystal Serrano, formerly of New York City, who lives in the Town of Monroe, has also announced her candidacy.

The district is one of seven in the assembly that, as of this point, have no representation because the elected officials that represented them have moved on to other positions. It’s not yet known if Gov. Cuomo could call for early elections this year. In 2012, Cuomo called for early elections to coincide with village elections in the state to save municipalities money.

If he does call early elections, the winner will hold the office until the end of the year, and will have to run again in November. If he does not call for early elections, the seats will remain empty until after the election in November.

The 98th Assembly District includes the towns of Deerpark, Greenville, Minisink, Monroe, Tuxedo and Warwick, as well as the city of Port Jervis and a part of Rockland County.