Jesse Dwyer Elected Town of Warwick Supervisor – Karen Amundson Secures Victory as Town of Warwick Justice
By Kat Leslie
In a resounding victory for Team Warwick, former Greenwood Lake Mayor Jesse Dwyer has been elected as the Town of Warwick Supervisor. With the majority of Team Warwick running unopposed, the outcome of this election reflects the trust and confidence Warwick community places in their leadership.
Dwyer’s extensive experience in local governance and his dedication to the community struck a chord with the voters, resulting in a resounding victory. Dwyer’s vision for a strong and prosperous Warwick, while preserving its identity, resonated with the residents, who entrusted him with the role of leading the town into the future.
Photo by Taylor Sterling
However, it’s the race for Town Justice that garnered attention due to the heated contest and campaign tactics employed by the candidates. Karen Amundson of Team Warwick, emerged as the clear winner in the election for the Town of Warwick Justice. While Dwyer’s victory was expected, the race for the seat of Town of Warwick Justice was more contentious. Candidate Karen Amundson, met a spirited opponent in the form of Elizabeth Cassidy. Cassidy faced an uphill battle in her bid for office, culminating in a loss that raised eyebrows and questions about her campaign tactics.
Cassidy, who garnered 2840 votes, showed meaningful support for her candidacy, despite not winning the race. This level of support underlines the healthy diversity of opinion within the community.
However, Cassidy’s campaign tactics drew significant scrutiny and criticism from many quarters. Her approach to engaging with the community was questionable: she ignored opportunities to engage with the public, declined a radio interview, and publicly lashed out at the newspaper for reporting on local election activities. Her actions raised concerns about her willingness to engage with the community and engage in open, transparent dialogue about the issues that matter to the residents of the Town of Warwick.
One of the most significant factors contributing to Cassidy’s challenging campaign was her association with Florida Mayor Harter and his aggressive posts on social media in her support in days leading to election, where it seemed to garner a disproportionate amount of negative comments. This support, while fervent, did not always translate into votes at the polls. The use of a wide array of negative campaign strategies did not sit well with some voters, who sought a more constructive and issue-based approach to local politics. In fact, it appeared that Harter’s reliance on social media had the unintended effect of isolating Cassidy from many voters who value a more respectful and issue-based campaign discourse.
The lessons from this election are clear: voters value candidates who prioritize constructive discussions, community engagement, and a respectful approach to trusted conventional media. It is a reminder that, in an age of social platform influence, a well-rounded campaign strategy that values transparency and issues-based dialogue is the path to winning hearts and votes of people. While Dwyer and his team secured a strong mandate to lead the town, it’s evident that the voters appreciate a respectful and constructive campaign discourse.
As Jesse Dwyer and Team Warwick take the helm of the Town of Warwick, they do so with a sense of responsibility to the community and a pledge to work collaboratively for the betterment of all residents. This election serves as a testament to the town’s dedication to effective governance and the hope for a harmonious and prosperous future under their leadership.
