Patricia Doxsey is reporting for the Daily Freeman the field of Democrats seeking the job of Ulster County County Executive is growing. Deputy Ulster County County Executive Marc Rider on Jan. 15, announced his plan to run for the job in a Facebook post. He joins Patrice Courtney Strong and Pat Ryan as declared candidates for the post. On the Republican side, former Ulster County Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk has said he is thinking about running, but has not officially announced yet. “I feel like I am the most qualified candidate,” Rider said. “I have decided it was time that I step up and run." Rider said, if elected, he would continue with the agenda set by current county executive Michael Hein. Rider is a resident of Rifton and has worked in the Hein administration for a little more than six years — first as an assistant county attorney, then as county director of purchasing before becoming deputy county executive in June 2018. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.