Pat Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman Ulster County Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum is hoping for a rebound in the general election after getting trounced in the Democratic primary last week. “We’ll regroup and move forward and move towards November,” was all he would say about his September 13 defeat and the upcoming rematch with Democratic candidate Juan Figueroa in November. Figueroa, a retired state trooper, defeated VanBlarcum by a margin of 64 percent. Figueroa said the primary results “definitely sent a message” and that he “couldn’t be prouder to be a Democrat in Ulster County.” VanBlarcum, a registered Democrat and a three-term incumbent, previously ran with his own party's blessing, but will stand for re-election this time with the support of the Republican and Conservative parties. Party enrollment in Ulster County suggests that, to win the race, VanBlarcum will need strong support from Republicans, and independent voters, those who identify as neither Democrat nor Republican, Doxsey writes. Figueroa said he has “no illusion” that a November victory will be easy but believes his message of inclusion, civility and accountability resonates with Ulster County residents. VanBlarcum was snubbed by the Democrats this year, having fallen out of favor with leaders over his conservative positions on guns and immigration, as well as some departmental policies. “His actions were not the values of the Democrats,” Figueroa said. “You put on top of that what’s going on in Washington D.C., it’s been an awakening of our citizenry.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.