Douglas Hudson

He was born on May 25, 1905, in Castleton, New York, and resided in Rensselaer County, New York for his entire life.^[1] He graduated from Albany Business College and entered politics as a Republican.

He was a Deputy Sheriff in 1942 when he was appointed as Rensselaer County Welfare Commissioner.^[2] In 1951 he became Chairman of the Rensselaer County Republican Party.^[3][4] In 1952, Hudson was appointed as Sheriff of Rensselaer County, and later was elected to the post twice.^[5][6]

In November 1959, Hudson was elected to the New York State Assembly to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas H. Brown. He was re-elected twice and remained in the Assembly until 1964, sitting in the 172nd, 173rd and 174th New York State Legislatures.^[7][8] In November 1964, he ran for re-election, but was defeated by Democrat James A. Lombard.^[9] In November 1965, he was elected again to the Assembly, and sat in the 176th New York State Legislature.

Hudson was a member of the New York State Senate from 1967 to 1976, sitting in the 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th and 181st New York State Legislatures.^[10][11][12] In 1975, Hudson pleaded guilty to reckless driving and paid a fine after having been charged with driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.^[13]

Hudson died on May 2, 1983, in Memorial Hospital in Albany, New York; and was buried at the Horizon View Cemetery in Brookview.^[14][15]

Hudson Hall at Hudson Valley Community College is named for him.^[16]