The Hurley Republican Committee announced on Thursday that it is backing Deputy Highway Superintendent Michele Bergenn for highway superintendent and William S. Tighe for town clerk in the Nov. 3 election.
Bergenn will face former Deputy Highway Superintendent John Wiacek, who has the Hurley Democratic Committee’s endorsement. Tighe will challenge incumbent Town Clerk Lynne Bailey, whom the Democrats have also endorsed.
The Democratic Committee is also backing Town Supervisor Michael Boms, who is running unopposed.
Bergenn, who was born and raised in Hurley, has worked in the town’s Highway Department for more than six years and has served as deputy highway superintendent since April 2023, according to the Republican Committee.
Her responsibilities have included overseeing daily operations, crews, equipment, and work schedules, as well as handling payroll, budgeting, state funding, and reporting requirements. She has also helped plan for the town’s new highway facility, the committee said.
Her stated priorities include road maintenance, efficient operations, infrastructure investment, and communication with residents.
Wiacek has pledged to work alongside highway crews to maintain the town’s roads and provide a fair workplace free of harassment, according to the Democratic Committee’s campaign materials.
In the clerk’s race, Tighe brings more than 23 years of experience as a police officer and a master’s degree in public administration from Marist College, according to the Republican Committee. A Hurley resident for more than 20 years, he currently works as a peace officer at Ulster County Community College and previously served as a town court security officer.
Tighe also serves on Hurley’s Board of Assessment Review and has experience as a small-business owner. His campaign priorities include organization, accountability, transparency, and responsive service at Town Hall, the committee said.
Bailey’s priorities include improving services for residents, organizing town records, and streamlining procedures, according to the Democratic Committee, which points to her 2025 annual report as a record of her work in office.
