After a decade as chairman of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee, Larry Bulman announced he will step down at the end of June. First Vice Chairman Todd Kerner of Clifton Park will take his spot.
I think Larry’s done a great job, won a lot of races in the county, and we’ll sorely miss him and his leadership, said Kerner.
Bulman will be leaving his post to run for international representative for the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters.
`My general president asked me to run because he told me I’d likely be his pick for national director of legislative and political affairs, which is just a wonderful opportunity for me,` said Bulman, who currently serves as business manager for the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 773.
From his first foray into politics, Bulman has been surprising people. In 1997, he ran for a Council seat in the Town of Moreau. Everyone told him he’d lose but he proved them all wrong when he became the first democratic councilman ever elected.
Since then, Bulman has been helping other democratic candidates navigate the republican-heavy county and recorded several key victories.
`My proudest achievement is knowing I helped build a strong two party system in Saratoga County,` said Bulman. `That was something it lacked and people deserve a choice.`
Bulman can recall just about every major political victory he has played a part in. In 2004, Bob Reilly was elected to the New York State Assembly. In 2005, Bulman said democrats swept every office in Saratoga Springs and Mechanicville. He hails helping Preston Jenkins and Patti Southworth secure supervisor positions in the Town of Moreau and Town of Ballston, respectively. Bulman considers it his greatest accomplishment to have helped Kirsten Gillibrand get elected a U.S. Senator.
`It was certainly the highlight of my career when Gillibrand was elected to represent the residents of New York 20th District,` said Bulman.
It wasn’t all winning, though. That experience with success and failure is what Bulman thinks has prepared him for his next endeavor.
`I’ve walked in everyone’s shoes. I’ve been a candidate for office, I was elected in my town, I won for supervisor and lost,` said Bulman. `I’ve been involved electing members of Congress, involved in recounts. I’ve been involved in every aspect.
Bulman said he hopes Kerner will continue to steer the committee in the direction he has since 2001.
`I hope he’ll continue to build on the foundation that we’ve got here in Saratoga County and there’s not a doubt in my mind that he’ll do it. He’s got a great team, really great leaders, within the Democratic party,` said Bulman.
The key to success is finding good candidates and raising money to get the message out there. Bulman said there were times when he could have walked away, but he didn’t.
`The people I met, the people I got to work with we have wonderful public servants; that’s what kept me coming back,` said Bulman. `I got to meet so many good people that wanted to make a difference and I didn’t want to walk away from them.`
Bulman also made personal sacrifices to serve Saratoga County in a capacity he felt so strongly about.
`It was difficult [at times]. I have a special needs son at home which made it even harder, but I have a great wife and support within my family,` said Bulman. `I definitely missed a lot of things at home but I was doing good things for my community.`
Kerner said he recognizes that his job won’t always be easy.
`Every face is a battle for towns and cities in the county and enrollment’s against us in almost every town and city,` said Kerner. `We have to work hard, have great candidates and keep plugging away.`
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