MidHudson News is reporting local businessowner Ola Nesheiwat Hawatmeh has announced her bid to unseat Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois, a Democrat, in November. Hawatmeh, 44, has secured the Republican and Conservative ballot lines. In 2020, she made an unsuccessful attempt for New York’s 19th Congressional seat. In the Republican primary, Hawatmeh lost to Kyle Van De Water by approximately 3,000 votes. She also tried to get the Conservative Party line but was disqualified before the primary. Then she launched an unsuccessful write-in campaign. Now, “I’m running for County Comptroller because the people of Dutchess County need a strong fiscal watchdog to account for how every cent of taxpayer money is spent,” said the 44-year-old challenger. “As a businesswoman and entrepreneur, I have the experience needed for the job – while also bringing the fresh perspective of someone who isn’t a career politician.” A first-generation American and mother of three, Hawatmeh is a native of Dutchess County. She founded two fashion design companies, OlaStyle and Mom Me Makeover. Hawatmeh is also the founder of Makeover For A Cause, a charity that provides free makeovers to underprivileged women and military members and their spouses. As a survivor of thyroid and breast cancer, she also started Survivor Fashion Week, a charity that allows cancer survivors to walk as runway models and raises money to help fund a cure. County Executive Marcus Molinaro supports Hawatmeh, saying, “She’s smart, hardworking, and passionate about helping others, which is exactly the kind of person we need working alongside me to look out for the taxpayers of Dutchess County.” Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.