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Alexandria Wojcik made history Wednesday (February 18) when she became the first woman to serve as mayor in New Paltz's 148-year existence. The Village Board officially appointed Wojcik during a meeting, elevating her from the acting mayor role she assumed in January after Tim Rogers stepped down to become New Paltz town supervisor.
Wojcik, a SUNY New Paltz graduate who has lived in the village since 2007, is also the first openly LGBTQ+ mayor in New Paltz history. According to the Daily Freeman, she measured the significance of her appointment by recognizing the need to keep routine threads of life functioning smoothly under the specter of social upheaval affecting other progressive communities.
The new mayor began her political career in New Paltz as a clerk in 2016 before winning a board seat in 2019 and securing reelection in 2023. As reported by The Oracle, Wojcik initially returned to New Paltz looking for a volunteer position after working as a field organizer for Antonio Delgado's congressional campaign and with the New York State Senate Majority. She ran on the D.I.Y. Do It Yourself Party with a $0 campaign, knocking on doors and ousting two incumbents.
Wojcik's appointment runs through the end of 2026, with voters deciding the final year of the term during the November general election. In a prepared statement, she pledged to serve the village's diverse community. ''Immigrants as well as trans+ people face a particularly uncertain future and need a local leader who actively creates spaces that feel welcoming and are truly safe,'' Wojcik said. ''Accessibility means so much more than fixing our sidewalks, it means meeting ALL Village residents where they are at.''
The mayor outlined several priorities for her tenure, including completing a long-awaited skate park project. ''I've been here since I was 18 and seen different groups try to make a skate park happen,'' she said. ''In 2019, a group of high school kids had a petition and a little GoFundMe and it was like the stars aligned, and I have to push through that for them.''
Community members rallied behind Wojcik's appointment, with former town council member Edgar Rodriguez saying, ''We need someone with experience. Alex is the best choice.'' Maggie Beaumont praised Wojcik's authenticity, noting that the acting mayor's ''opinions reflect true belief'' rather than strategic positioning for reelection.
Wojcik is also focused on building relationships with local law enforcement to prepare for potential federal immigration enforcement actions. She referenced the May 2024 mass arrest of 132 people involved with the SUNY New Paltz pro-Palestinian encampment as a learning experience. ''Looking back, I couldn't help but think of some things that could have just gone better if I were on a texting basis with the police chief at the time,'' she said.
Housing development remains another key priority, with Wojcik pushing forward on projects along North Chestnut Street. ''Once they're all paid up with their recreation fees, that's how money for the skate park project will exist,'' she explained.
Wojcik plans to campaign for the position to serve a full term when voters head to the polls in November.