Bethlehem Democratic Committee Announces 2021 Slate of Candidates

For Immediate Release                                                                            Contact: Joanne Cunningham, Chair
February 17, 2021                                                                 Bethlehem Democratic Committee 518-810-3538

The leadership of the Bethlehem Democratic Committee (BDC) announced its 2021 slate of Democratic candidates for Bethlehem town offices. The candidates were endorsed with great enthusiasm at the quarterly meeting of the BDC held on February 11, 2021. The endorsed slate of candidates include:

David VanLuven, Bethlehem Town Supervisor (incumbent)
Marc Dorsey, Bethlehem Highway Superintendent (incumbent)
Maureen Cunningham, Bethlehem Town Board (incumbent)
David DeCancio, Bethlehem Town Board 
Andrew Kirby, Bethlehem Town Justice (incumbent)
Nanci Moquin, Bethlehem Town Clerk (incumbent)

The endorsement selections were made after a months-long recruitment process that invited Democrats in the Town of Bethlehem to submit letters of interest for BDC endorsement, an interview process conducted by the Executive Committee of the BDC and overwhelming votes of support from the BDC at the February meeting. 

“I am thrilled with our slate of candidates. We have a diverse group of public servants with roots in the community, deep track records of expertise and results, and demonstrated commitment to delivering for Bethlehem. Bethlehem could not ask for a more top-tier group of public servants,” stated Joanne Cunningham, BDC Chair.  “We are particularly excited about the newest member of our slate, David DeCancio, a Selkirk resident with an incredible track record of service to community. David is a showcase of exactly the kind of person we want to see in public service.” continued Cunningham.

“Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community as a way to repay this great country that welcomed and provided us with hope and opportunity.” David DeCancio said. “That’s why for the past two decades I’ve been an active member of our community.  And today, I proudly announce my candidacy for Town Board.  As a Town Board Member, I'll continue to roll up my sleeves and work to build a stronger, more inclusive and vibrant Bethlehem.” Stated David DeCancio.

The slate also includes incumbents currently serving the Town of Bethlehem.

Town Justice Andrew Kirby, endorsed to seek his third term stated, "It has been an honor for the past seven years to serve as a Bethlehem Town Justice. During the past year, our court faced and continues to face challenges with COVID-19 restrictions and with implementing sweeping changes to New York State criminal justice laws. I am proud of the entire court staff for working through this difficult period with such professionalism and efficiency. I look forward to continuing my service to my town and its citizens as I seek re-election."

Marc Dorsey, endorsed for a second term as Bethlehem’s Highway Superintendent stated, “I am honored to seek reelection with a terrific slate of candidates. This year has been enormously challenging for the Highway Department and I am so proud of our team. With 10% fewer staff and no access to usual seasonal workers, we successfully managed the largest leaf and brush load our town has experienced, a significant October storm that took down trees and caused major damage and the fourth largest snowstorm in Bethlehem’s history. I am looking forward to continuing to serve Bethlehem’s residents.” 

Town Board Member Maureen Cunningham, endorsed for a second term, stated, “I am so proud of the many positive strides forward we have made in recent years, from expanding parklands and installing clean energy infrastructure to updating our comprehensive plan and prioritizing diversity and racial justice. I am grateful for the support of the BDC and look forward to expanding these successes to make our community a more just, healthy and safe place for all.”

Nanci Moquin, endorsed for her seventh term as Bethlehem’s Town Clerk, stated, “I am proud of the work that my team and I have done to ensure that our office has been available and actively serving the community during the pandemic. We have managed to continue our vital work of records management and fulfilling our duties of providing licenses and records to town residents. I am particularly proud that our flexible service model has enabled 100 residents of Bethlehem to obtain marriage licenses over the past year (in the safe setting of the town office parking lot), despite COVID. We proudly serve our town’s residents, no matter what.”

David VanLuven, seeking his third term as Bethlehem’s Town Supervisor stated, “This has been a challenging year and I’m impressed and proud of the COVID-inspired innovation and resilience of our town government, and I’m proud to have been part of it as we’ve adapted to keep delivering services during the pandemic and economic collapse. I look forward to building on a robust and successful track record during my tenure – we have continued Bethlehem’s excellent services, built new parks, protected farmland, and are engaged in vigorous planning for future growth. I am pleased to be running with a slate of candidates who share my commitment to Bethlehem.”

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