TROY – The Democratic and Republican county execute candidates said Monday they would chart a new way for Rensselaer County to operate if they are elected in November.

“This county needs to get its mojo back,” said Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin, R-Troy, promising to break away from the malaise that’s enveloped the county over the past 16 years.

Democrat Andrea Smyth of Rensselaer said she has a vision to turn around county government and improve residents’ lives.

Smyth and McLaughlin spoke to about 60 people attending the Meet the Troy Candidates event at School 12 in South Troy sponsored by the Troy Neighborhood Action Council.

The two candidates fielded questions submitted by the audience for nearly an hour.

Smyth identified infrastructure improvements, particularly to water systems and quality, providing shovel ready sites for economic development and expanding economic opportunities as important issues in the race to become the county government chief executive.

McLaughlin also cited the need for infrastructure improvements, pointing to his efforts in Hoosick Falls to battle drinking water contamination. He said he would expand economic development across the county as a means to provide jobs to lift people out of poverty.

Smyth and McLaughlin are campaigning to succeed Republican County Executive Kathleen Jimino, who decided not to seek a fifth four-year term in the $121,300 post. The Democrats have never won the county executive’s post. Green Party Candidate Wayne Foy did not attend the candidates’ forum.

Responding to a question about the lack of local ambulance service coverage in some county municipalities, McLaughlin and Smyth each said they would seek to emulate a program put together by Albany Sheriff Craig Apple to serve his county’s rural towns.

Smyth said she would push to increase tourism opportunities to attract business and work to improve the quality of life. McLaughlin said he would draw on his marketing and social media savvy to promote the county.

McLaughlin said he would continue to be independent and work across the aisle, as he has as an assemblyman for the last seven years. Smyth emphasized her ability in the non-profit sector to bring groups together.