Chris Eachus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Colin Schmitt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 8, 1955 San Mateo, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | New Windsor, New York |
| Education | |
| Signature |  |
Christopher W. Eachus (born October 8, 1955) is an American politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district, which covers parts of Orange and Rockland Counties. Eachus is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
[edit]Born in San Mateo California, Eachus spent his early years in Peru until his family settled on Long Island. As a boy he was a member of the Boy Scouts and ended up becoming an Eagle Scout his Junior year of high school. He graduated with a master's degree from SUNY New Paltz. He made a career as a high school teacher for 40 years.[1]
Political career
[edit]Eachus served 12 years (3 terms) as a member of the Orange County Legislature, representing the 15th district from 2006-2018.[2] He ran for New York State Senate twice against long-time incumbent William J. Larkin Jr., losing in 2012 and 2016.[3]
New York State Assembly
[edit]Eachus declared his candidacy for New York State Assembly in early 2022.[4] With incumbent Assemblyman Colin Schmitt running for Congress, the 99th Assembly district seat became open. Fellow Democratic candidate Zak Constantine withdrew from the race following Eachus's entry.[5] Eachus defeated Republican Kathryn Luciani, a Town Councilwoman from Woodbury, by 8 votes after a recount.[6]
Eachus was the only Democrat to flip a previously Republican Assembly seat in 2022, and represents the second most pro-Trump district of any Assembly Democrat (behind only Simcha Eichenstein), with Donald Trump winning the newly-drawn 99th Assembly district 55% to 45% over Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.[7] Republican Lee Zeldin also carried the district by nearly nine points over Democrat Kathy Hochul in the 2022 New York gubernatorial election.[8] Chris Eachus was the second most successful freshman Assemblymember in the 2023 session, having passed seven bills (Assemblymember Dana Levenberg passed nine).
In 2024, Eachus easily won re-election by more than 13% over Republican challenger Tom Lapolla, even as Donald Trump carried the district again, this time by 20%.[9]
He serves on the Aging, Higher Education, Mental Health, Transportation, and Veterans' Affairs committees in the Assembly.[10]
Electoral history
[edit]Orange County Legislature
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher Eachus | 1,503 | 46.37 | |
| Working Families | Christopher Eachus | 131 | 4.04% | |
| Total | Christopher Eachus | 1,634 | 50.42% | |
| Republican | Christina M. Longinott | 1,274 | 39.31% | |
| Conservative | Christina M. Longinott | 333 | 10.27% | |
| Total | Christine M. Longinott | 1,607 | 49.58% | |
| Total votes | 3,241 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,021 | 44.35 | |
| Independence | Christopher W. Eachus | 165 | 7.17% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 1,186 | 51.52% | |
| Republican | K. James Dittbrenner | 949 | 41.23% | |
| Conservative | K. James Dittbrenner | 167 | 7.25% | |
| Total | K. James Dittbrenner | 1,116 | 48.48% | |
| Total votes | 2,302 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,685 | 50.69% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 113 | 3.40% | |
| Independence | Christopher W. Eachus | 112 | 3.37% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 1,910 | 57.46% | |
| Republican | Veronica A. McMillan | 1,180 | 35.50% | |
| Conservative | Veronica A. McMillan | 234 | 7.04% | |
| Total | Veronica A. McMillan | 1,414 | 42.54% | |
| Total votes | 3,324 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
New York State Senate
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 45,942 | 43.87% | |
| Conservative | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,722 | 6.42% | |
| Independence | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 2,257 | 2.16% | |
| Total | William J. Larkin, Jr. (incumbent) | 54,921 | 52.45% | |
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 46,126 | 44.05 | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 3,620 | 3.46% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus | 49,746 | 47.51% | |
| Write-in | 50 | 0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 104,717 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 51,010 | 45.25% | |
| Conservative | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,914 | 6.13% | |
| Independence | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,611 | 5.86% | |
| Reform | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 496 | 0.44% | |
| Total | William J. Larkin, Jr. (incumbent) | 65,031 | 57.69% | |
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 43,915 | 38.96% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 2,882 | 2.56% | |
| Women's Equality | Christopher W. Eachus | 844 | 0.75% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus | 47,641 | 42.26% | |
| Write-in | 49 | 0.04% | ||
| Total votes | 112,721 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
New York State Assembly
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 18,539 | 50.00% | |
| Republican | Kathryn D. Luciani | 16,614 | 44.81% | |
| Conservative | Kathryn D. Luciani | 1,917 | 5.17% | |
| Total | Kathryn D. Luciani | 18,531 | 49.98% | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.03% | ||
| Total votes | 37,080 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 27,001 | 53.94% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,345 | 2.69% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 28,346 | 56.63% | |
| Republican | Tom Lapolla | 19,516 | 38.99% | |
| Conservative | Tom Lapolla | 2,167 | 4.33% | |
| Total | Tom Lapolla | 21,683 | 43.32% | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 50,055 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
[edit]- ^ "Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Eachus leads Assembly race by 21 with all ballots tallied but awaiting recount". Times Herald-Record. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Eachus Launches Bid For Assembly Seat". Hudson Valley Press. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Constantine withdraws from state Assembly campaign, hopes to chair Orange County Democratic Committee". WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Eachus squeaks by with Assembly win". Mid-Hudson News. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "NYS Redistricting 2021-2023". Redistricting & You. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Election Results: Governor by Assembly District". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ "Eachus easily wins re-election in State Assembly's 99th District". Mid Hudson News. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
- ^ "Committee Membership". New York State Assembly. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "2005 General Election County Legislator 15th Legislative District". Orange County Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "County Legislature Legislative District 15". Orange County Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Orange County Legislature District 15". Orange County Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "NYS Board of Elections Senate Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "NYS Board of Elections Senate Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "2022 Assembly Results". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Certified November 5, 2024 General Election Results, approved 12.09.2024". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 28, 2024.