Babcock out, Giblin in as Board of Elections commissioner

At Tuesday night’s Rockland County Republican Executive Committee Meeting, the committee chose Patricia A. Giblin as the new Rockland County Republican Election Commissioner. She replaces Lou “Butch” Babcock, who held the post since Joan Silvestri assumed the position of director of Personnel in January 2012. Giblin is nearly a 10-year veteran of the Board of Elections with an extensive background, serving as a BOE clerk, election inspection coordinator, and now, the chief registrar.

GOP Chairman Lawrence Garvey said, “Patricia’s unwavering commitment to the Republican Party is illustrated through her active involvement as vice chair of the Orangetown Republican Committee and her volunteering efforts with the Rockland County Republican Committee. I’m excited to have Patricia leading the charge in the county BOE and look forward to her taking office in January. As commissioner, Patricia will have an open door policy so feel free to stop in to ask questions and offer suggestions. The committee wishes Patricia much success on this endeavor.”

No specific reasons have been noted for Babcock’s departure, though he had been appointed by and close to the former GOP leadership regime headed by Vincent Reda. The Republican and Democratic parties each appoint one of two Board of Elections commissioners. The Democratic commissioner is Democratic Chairwoman Kristen Stavisky.