Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

Tonight’s meeting confirms what many have been saying for weeks. The District Attorney made a serious error in judgment by awarding himself a bonus without legislative authorization.

Still, the rush to push him out of office has clearly been tainted by politics. It’s obvious that some local Democrats have an axe to grind against David Soares. It’s also clear his loud opposition to bail reform, Raise the Age and other disastrous Democrat policies has earned him no friends in his own party.

I share the frustration of many County residents who are appalled that the DA gave himself this bonus in the first place. But Human Resources administers payroll and the Comptroller signs the checks. For them to approve the DA’s bonus in November 2023, then flip-flop in January 2024, raises many questions about the larger payroll practices of our county.

Ultimately I believe it is up to Albany County voters, not politicians, to decide the District Attorney’s fate. We as a Legislature should let elections and investigations take their course, and turn our attention to examining the questionable bonus and payroll practices of the county as a whole.