{ "id": "epnn6kcpfn", "slug": "rob-rolison", "title": "Rob Rolison", "updated": "2026-10-15", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials", "label": "US governors and state officials", "api_url": 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"https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.northeastern-state-legislators" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.northeastern-state-legislators.alpha-n-to-sl", "label": "Surnames N to Sl", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.northeastern-state-legislators.alpha-n-to-sl" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Rob Rolison is an American Republican politician who represents New York's 39th State Senate district in the Hudson Valley and previously served as Mayor of Poughkeepsie.", "snippet": "Rob Rolison is an American Republican politician who represents New York's 39th State Senate district in the Hudson Valley and previously served as Mayor of Poughkeepsie.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.northeastern-state-legislators.alpha-n-to-sl", "markdown": "# Rob Rolison\n\nRob Rolison is an American politician and a Republican member of the [New York State Senate](https://www.edgepedia.org/new-york-state-senate), representing the 39th district in the [Hudson Valley](https://www.edgepedia.org/hudson-valley).[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) • [2](https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison) Before his Senate service, he was elected Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie and served on the Dutchess County Legislature, including as Chairman.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) In 2026 he is seeking his third term representing District 39.[3](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican[2](https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison) |\n| Current office | Member, New York State Senate, District 39[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) |\n| Previous offices | Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie; Member, Dutchess County Legislature (Chairman)[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) |\n| Education | Attended Marist College, studying criminal justice[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nRolison is a Republican.[2](https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison) The Current reported in 2026 that he is a Republican seeking his third term in District 39.[3](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nRolison is a lifelong Poughkeepsie resident.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) He attended Marist College, studying criminal justice.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) He began his career in public service as a volunteer firefighter with the Croft Corners Fire Department in 1976 and joined the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in 1982. Over a 26-year law enforcement career, he served in the Patrol Division and spent 14 years as a [Detective](https://www.edgepedia.org/detective).[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) He raised his son, [Christopher](https://www.edgepedia.org/christopher), in the community and resides in the City of Poughkeepsie with his wife, Lori.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n\n## Career\n\nRolison served on the Dutchess County Legislature, representing the City and Town of Poughkeepsie, including as Chairman.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) He was then elected Mayor of the City of Poughkeepsie, serving two terms. According to his campaign website, he led the city through what the site describes as a major fiscal turnaround, including closing a $10 million fund balance deficit.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n\nRolison represents New York's 39th Senate District, serving communities across Dutchess, Putnam, and Orange Counties.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about) The district includes Philipstown and Beacon.[3](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/) His campaign website states that since taking office he has advanced legislation, now signed into law, to protect families, strengthen communities, and improve the quality of life across New York.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n\n## Electoral history\n\nRolison has won two elections in Senate District 39.[3](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/) In 2026 he is seeking his third term representing the district.[3](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/) On June 23, 2026, Dutchess County Legislator Lisa Kaul won the Democratic primary to challenge Rolison, defeating Poughkeepsie City Councilman Evan Menist and former Newburgh Councilwoman Gay Lee; unofficially, Kaul received approximately 8,251 of the 13,495 votes cast, roughly 61 percent.[4](https://midhudsonnews.com/2026/06/24/dutchess-lawmaker-wins-primary-to-challenge-rolison/)\n\n## Positions and legislative record\n\n### Taxes and affordability\n\nRolison's campaign website says he has advocated for utility and energy tax relief to help make life more affordable for Hudson Valley residents and businesses.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n\n### Childcare\n\nRolison's campaign website says he has championed efforts to expand flexible, accessible childcare options to better support working families and provide relief for seniors.[1](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n\n## References\n\n1. [About Senator Rob Rolison](https://www.robrolison.com/about)\n2. [https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison](https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison)\n3. [Questions for Candidates: State Senate 39](https://highlandscurrent.org/2026/06/10/questions-for-candidates-state-senate-39/)\n4. [Dutchess lawmaker wins primary to challenge Rolison](https://midhudsonnews.com/2026/06/24/dutchess-lawmaker-wins-primary-to-challenge-rolison/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Northeastern state legislators › Surnames N to Sl*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Rob Rolison\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Rob Rolison](https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison](https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Rob Rolison\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/rob-rolison. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Rob Rolison is an American Republican politician who represents New York's 39th State Senate district in the Hudson Valley and previously served as Mayor of Poughkeepsie." }