WAMC: Democratic Primary Set for Woodstock Supervisor Race

The lineup includes Town Councilmember Anula Courtis, environmentalist Erin Moran, and journalist David Wallis, who narrowly made it on the ballot this week after his petitions were challenged by the current town supervisor, Bill McKenna. McKenna, also a Democrat, is not seeking a fifth two-year term.

Wallis calls the challenge “political retribution” for his public criticism of McKenna over the years. He tells WAMC he was prepared to run as an independent candidate just in case, but the Ulster County Board of Elections upheld his petitions by three signatures.

"I want to run because I believe that people in Woodstock are just hanging on — many people — and that financially they're struggling. And I think that it's going to get worse as federal programs are cut and slashed," says Wallis. "But I'm glad to say his challenge proved unsuccessful."

Letter to Editor: David Wallis will Serve Woodstock Well

In a recent letter to HV1 our batty bard of Woodstock, Michael Mulvey, contended that because David Wallis worked as deputy editor at the New York Observer, (which Jared Kushner owned) this proved that he’s a Trump supporter. Pure and utter nonsense.

When the Observer lost credibility as an unbiased publication circa 2016, the staffers, one by one, abandoned ship; Wallis left for a new job at the progressive newspaper, The Forward. Next, according to his resume, he helped lead the Economic Hardship Reporting Project (an award-winning nonprofit newsroom founded by the heralded labor writer, Barbara Ehrenreich). 

But even a quick glance at his contributions to The Observer reveal stories highly critical of Trump and his cronies. For instance, in his post-election interview with Anthony Romero, the head of the ACLU, Wallis asked the Trump administration’s pre-eminent legal adversary: “Do you expect Donald Trump to undermine civil liberties in this country? And which of his campaign promises should particularly chill Americans?” (Which is not exactly a question posed by a Trum-pet.) 

https://observer.com/2016/12/aclu-anthony-romero-interview-trump-obama/

I could go on past nauseum … Instead, I’d counter the tenor of Mulvey’s remarks by pointing out that Wallis’ journalistic skills — far from being a detriment to the job of town supervisor — would be an attribute. Because, after eight years of bait-and-switch, a clear-eyed ability to analyze a problem, hunt for innovative solutions and stand by one — will serve Woodstock well.

Tad Wise
Woodstock

Dealing with Contaminated Soil Primary Issue in Woodstock Race

“We need to protect our environment, finally, and clean up the Shady dump and protect the water supply of Woodstock,” Wallis said.

The Overlook: Press Freedom Advocate Runs for Supervisor

At a Woodstock Democratic Committee meeting Wednesday, David Wallis participated in what he described as a “vigorous debate” with party leaders. In a notable decision, the committee announced it would not endorse any candidate for Town Supervisor—a move that could shift the dynamics of the race.

Hudson Valley One: Wallis Running for Woodstock Town Supervisor

Journalist and former Onteora School Board member David Wallis has joined Erin Moran and Anula Courtis in the 2025 race for Woodstock town supervisor. Of the three declared candidates, Wallis is the most critical of the job performance of incumbent town supervisor Bill McKenna, whom he characterized as “a man who hated his job.”

Wallis has served as managing director of Economic Hardship Reporting Project, an award-winning non-profit newsroom. He previously was opinion editor of The Forward and deputy editor of The New York Observer. He has contributed to The New Yorker, the Washington Post, The New York Times and The Guardian, among other publications.

Himself a parent, Wallis said he became disappointed with town supervisor McKenna’s leadership in regard to the town’s youth center. More immediately, he was inspired to run for the top seat after McKenna’s handling of the town’s recent closing of its warming center.

Daily Freeman: David Wallis Seeks Dem Nomination for Woodstock Supervisor

WOODSTOCK, N.Y. — Former Onteora school board Trustee David Wallis is seeking the Democratic nod for supervisor after seeing continuing toxic behavior among Town Board members, inaction on resolving contamination in the water, and a contempt for people seeking to stay warm.