Mid-Hudson News reports that retired State Police investigator Juan Figueroa of Plattekill announced he is running for the Democratic Party nomination for Ulster County Sheriff Feb. 27. Figueroa will challenge incumbent Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum in the Democratic primary in June. Figueroa cited his need to continue “a lifelong commitment to serve and a promise to use the office to represent all residents, regardless of political affiliation or background,” in his decision to challenge the incumbent Democrat. Figueroa has served 22 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and 25 years in the State Police. “I patrolled the roads of Ulster County and worked in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation,” he said. “I have successfully taken down drug cartels, worked to stop corruptions and fought to keep us safe abroad.” VanBlarcum has been criticized for a slow investigation of a racist Facebook post from a corrections officer at the Ulster County Jail. The Rev. Frank Alagna of Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal Church, the Rev. Jim Childs of Pointe of Praise Church, and the Rev. G. Modele Clarke of New Progressive Baptist Church also wrote a letter to the editor of The Daily Freeman recently claiming there was racism in his office under his leadership. Read the full story in Mid-Hudson News.