Lisa Kaul looks to oust Rolison from state Senate

By Rebecca C. Lewis | September 18, 2026

For the past four years, Democrats have attempted to win state Senate District 39, a Democratic-leaning seat centered around Poughkeepsie. Now, Dutchess County Legislator Lisa Kaul is trying her hand at unseating Republican state Sen. Rob Rolison, the moderate former mayor of Poughkeepsie who has held the seat since its creation in the last redistricting cycle .

After winning a three-way primary in June, Kaul advanced to take on Rolison in November. Although Democrats initially lost the open seat in 2022 by 6 points, they came closer to besting Rolison in 2024, losing by just 1.4 points. Now, with headwinds favoring Democrats in the midterms, Kaul feels confident that her life experiences and record of serving her community will result in a victory over the well-liked Republican.

Kaul spoke with City & State about her campaign, her immigrant background and priorities should she win.