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After two decades of service, Bradford Kendall, the Dutchess County Clerk, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of his current term in 2027. On Monday (April 14), Kendall made the announcement, which comes 21 months before his term concludes. He will not seek a sixth term in office.
Kendall, a longtime resident of Dutchess County, first entered public service in 1988 as a member of the Town of Dover Planning Board. He was elected to the Dutchess County Legislature in 1993, representing Dover and later Dover and Union Vale. In 2000, he became the chair of the County Legislature, a role he held for seven years. On December 29, 2006, then-Governor George Pataki appointed Kendall to fill the unexpired term of retiring County Clerk Colette Lafuente. He was subsequently elected County Clerk in 2007 and reelected in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
Throughout his tenure, Kendall has been recognized for his dedication to public service, including serving as president of the New York State Association of County Clerks and receiving the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. According to Mid Hudson News, Kendall expressed gratitude for his colleagues, stating, "For the past 20 years, it has been a privilege to lead my dedicated co-workers in the delivery of exemplary public service."
As he approaches retirement, Kendall plans to focus on implementing electronic filing in the criminal court of Dutchess County, finalizing the Clean Slate Act, and completing renovations of the County Office Building. Reflecting on his decision, Kendall shared that it came after much thought and discussion with his family, including his wife of 48 years, Barbara.
Kendall's contributions have left a lasting impact on the community, and he looks forward to completing his remaining projects before stepping down. His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Dutchess County's history, as the community prepares for new leadership.