MONTICELLO — Frank LaBuda, who stepped down late last year as Sullivan County Court Judge after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, announced yesterday that he was changing his party affiliation.

LaBuda walked into the Board of Elections Office at the County Government Center in Monticello Thursday morning a Democrat. He emerged as a Republican.

LaBuda said his decision to jump parties comes down to philosophical differences.

“Today there is a public safety crisis in our Nation, in our State and in our County,” LaBuda said in a prepared statement released Thursday afternoon. “Today my values and principles that have guided me throughout my whole life, whether as a soldier, as a prosecutor, as a judge, and as a father are not aligned with the current trend in the Democratic Party. Currently the Democratic party leadership has drifted far to the left, and far afield from my values and concerns for us. I believe in our Constitutional right to protect our family and our property to the fullest extent of the Second Amendment.”

LaBuda took aim at bail reform measures that recently went into effect in New York State.

“I believe in our Constitutional right to reasonable bail for all under the Eighth Amendment and I don't believe in free bail and a ‘catch and release program' that puts our safety and the safety of dedicated law enforcement at risk,” LaBuda said.

LaBuda also raised concerns about changes to New York State's deer feeding rules.

“When I was growing up, my mom and dad taught me to respect all life, and never allow an animal to starve to death,” LaBuda said. “Yet the current Democratic leadership would force us to stand by and watch our deer starve to death in our backyards. I was taught better than that.”

Democratic Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and State Senator Jen Metzger have both introduced bills to allow for the feeding of white tail deer during the winter months in Sullivan County. See page 10B for the full story.

There has been speculation in recent months that LaBuda plans to run for District Attorney. Currently, only Acting District Attorney Meagan Galligan has confirmed she will run this November.

LaBuda has said that he's still considering all options about his political future.