CARMEL- The Putnam Sheriff’s race will be a two man contest after all now that the Putnam GOP has endorsed Undersheriff Brian Hess as its candidate for November.

The county’s Republican Committee met in special session Thursday night and endorsed Hess over four challengers including Carmel Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Pleasantville Police Chief Erik Grutzner, District Attorney Investigator Ralph Cilento and former Cold Spring PD Chief Larry Burke.

Burke is running on an independent line for sheriff in the fall. The Putnam Democrats failed to nominate a candidate for the county’s top law enforcement position.

The late Sheriff Kevin McConville who originally announced his candidacy to seek reelection last January withdrew from the race in June due to his failing health. McConville passed awa

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