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Sweeton ends executive bid

| 07 Jun 2013 | 02:17
    Photo by Roger Gavan From left, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton with Blooming Grove Supervisor Frank Fornario and Town of Wallkill Supervisor Daniel Depew launching his bid for county executive on 8/30/2012.
    Photo by Roger Gavan From left, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton with Blooming Grove Supervisor Frank Fornario and Town of Wallkill Supervisor Daniel Depew launching his bid for county executive on 8/30/2012.

WARWICK - Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton dropped his candidacy for Orange County executive Friday, ending the week in which his fellow Republican challenger won the party's coveted endorsement.

Sweeton's exit message was tempered with promises to continue fighting for greater transparency in Orange County's government, a central issue in the race.

"I am not ending my efforts to restore open and honest government to Orange County," he said in a statement. "I have laid out a clear, specific platform to address the serious issues facing our county and I will carefully evaluate how the remaining candidates stand on these issues. I will continue to speak out against closed-door government and insider politics on the local, county and state levels. The people of Orange County deserve nothing less."

Chester Town Supervisor Steve Neuhaus, the newly minted Republican nominee, will face off against Democratic candidate Roxanne Donnery this November.

Embattled County Executive Edward A. Diana earlier ended his re-election campaign, citing health concerns.

— Joshua Rosenau