Chris Eachus
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Christopher W. Eachus (born October 8, 1955) is an American politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district, which covers parts of Orange and Rockland Counties. Eachus is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
Born in San Mateo California, Eachus spent his early years in Peru until his family settled on Long Island. As a boy he was a member of the Boy Scouts and ended up becoming an Eagle Scout his Junior year of high school. He graduated with a master's degree from SUNY New Paltz. He made a career as a high school teacher for 40 years.
Political career
Eachus served 12 years (3 terms) as a member of the Orange County Legislature, representing the 15th district from 2006-2018. He ran for New York State Senate twice against long-time incumbent William J. Larkin Jr., losing in 2012 and 2016.
New York State Assembly
Eachus declared his candidacy for New York State Assembly in early 2022. With incumbent Assemblyman Colin Schmitt running for Congress, the 99th Assembly district seat became open. Fellow Democratic candidate Zak Constantine withdrew from the race following Eachus's entry. Eachus defeated Republican Kathryn Luciani, a Town Councilwoman from Woodbury, by 8 votes after a recount.
Eachus was the only Democrat to flip a previously Republican Assembly seat in 2022, and represents the second most pro-Trump district of any Assembly Democrat (behind only Simcha Eichenstein), with Donald Trump winning the newly-drawn 99th Assembly district 55% to 45% over Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Republican Lee Zeldin also carried the district by nearly nine points over Democrat Kathy Hochul in the 2022 New York gubernatorial election. Chris Eachus was the second most successful freshman Assemblymember in the 2023 session, having passed seven bills (Assemblymember Dana Levenberg passed nine).
In 2024, Eachus easily won re-election by more than 13% over Republican challenger Tom Lapolla, even as Donald Trump carried the district again, this time by 20%.
He serves on the Aging, Higher Education, Mental Health, Transportation, and Veterans' Affairs committees in the Assembly.
Electoral history
Orange County Legislature
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher Eachus | 1,503 | 46.37 | |
| Working Families | Christopher Eachus | 131 | 4.04% | |
| Total | Christopher Eachus | 1,634 | 50.42% | |
| Republican | Christina M. Longinott | 1,274 | 39.31% | |
| Conservative | Christina M. Longinott | 333 | 10.27% | |
| Total | Christine M. Longinott | 1,607 | 49.58% | |
| Total votes | 3,241 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,021 | 44.35 | |
| Independence | Christopher W. Eachus | 165 | 7.17% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 1,186 | 51.52% | |
| Republican | K. James Dittbrenner | 949 | 41.23% | |
| Conservative | K. James Dittbrenner | 167 | 7.25% | |
| Total | K. James Dittbrenner | 1,116 | 48.48% | |
| Total votes | 2,302 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,685 | 50.69% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 113 | 3.40% | |
| Independence | Christopher W. Eachus | 112 | 3.37% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 1,910 | 57.46% | |
| Republican | Veronica A. McMillan | 1,180 | 35.50% | |
| Conservative | Veronica A. McMillan | 234 | 7.04% | |
| Total | Veronica A. McMillan | 1,414 | 42.54% | |
| Total votes | 3,324 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold |
New York State Senate
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 45,942 | 43.87% | |
| Conservative | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,722 | 6.42% | |
| Independence | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 2,257 | 2.16% | |
| Total | William J. Larkin, Jr. (incumbent) | 54,921 | 52.45% | |
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 46,126 | 44.05 | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 3,620 | 3.46% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus | 49,746 | 47.51% | |
| Write-in | 50 | 0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 104,717 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 51,010 | 45.25% | |
| Conservative | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,914 | 6.13% | |
| Independence | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 6,611 | 5.86% | |
| Reform | William J. Larkin, Jr. | 496 | 0.44% | |
| Total | William J. Larkin, Jr. (incumbent) | 65,031 | 57.69% | |
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 43,915 | 38.96% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 2,882 | 2.56% | |
| Women's Equality | Christopher W. Eachus | 844 | 0.75% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus | 47,641 | 42.26% | |
| Write-in | 49 | 0.04% | ||
| Total votes | 112,721 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold |
New York State Assembly
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 18,539 | 50.00% | |
| Republican | Kathryn D. Luciani | 16,614 | 44.81% | |
| Conservative | Kathryn D. Luciani | 1,917 | 5.17% | |
| Total | Kathryn D. Luciani | 18,531 | 49.98% | |
| Write-in | 10 | 0.03% | ||
| Total votes | 37,080 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Christopher W. Eachus | 27,001 | 53.94% | |
| Working Families | Christopher W. Eachus | 1,345 | 2.69% | |
| Total | Christopher W. Eachus (incumbent) | 28,346 | 56.63% | |
| Republican | Tom Lapolla | 19,516 | 38.99% | |
| Conservative | Tom Lapolla | 2,167 | 4.33% | |
| Total | Tom Lapolla | 21,683 | 43.32% | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.05% | ||
| Total votes | 50,055 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold |