Politics on the Hudson

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Rockland County Sheriff James Kralik’s re-election in November.

In an announcement, the union’s president, Daniel De Federicis, cited Kralik’s more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, his work on counter-terrorism for Rockland and New York State and his ability to work with state and federal law enforcement agencies. Kralik is the county’s anti-terrorism planning czar and a major figure in the statewide and regional planning.

The union represents 6,000 active and retired state police officers.

Kralik, a registered Republican from Sloatsburg, is seeking his fifth, four-year term as sheriff. He is being challenged by Clarkstown Detective Sgt. Tim O’Neill, who is giving up his seat as a Stony Point councilman to run for sheriff as a Democrat. O’Neill oversees the Clarkstown Police Department’s DARE and school resource officers and related programs. He once ran the county’s intelligence gathering unit.

O’Neill will officially be nominated by the Democrats at their convention on May 31 at the Holidome in Montebello. O’Neill took the troopers’ PBA endorsement of Kralik in stride, noting he was shooting for support from the local police. O’Neill is the most formidable candidate Kralik has faced in years.

“I am seeking the endorsement of the Rockland PBA,” O’Neill said. “They are the officers who serve and protect the people of Rockland County. I feel that’s the most important endorsement.”

Kralik also is aiming to win the Rockland PBA endorsement, as well as the backing from the unions representing Rockland sheriff’s and correction officers.

As a former Rockland PBA president, O’Neill remains in good standing with the union, whose members are dominated by Clarkstown officers, along with those from Orangetown, Spring Valley, Suffern, Piermont and South Nyack-Grand View.

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