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Monroe Town Councilman Rick Colon announced he will seek the Democratic Party nomination for the 98th Assembly District in the fall election.

One other Democrat, Scott Martens, previously announced. Whoever makes it to the Democratic line will challenge incumbent Republican Karl Brabenec.

Colon said he wants to address issues important to the Hudson Valley including mental health and the heroin epidemic.

As for the impending formation of the Hasidic Town of Palm Tree comprised of a portion of the Town of Monroe and the Village of Kiryas Joel, Colon believes an amicable solution has been reached.

"It has been best described as a divorce in a sense," he said. "There is the parting of the ways; it's mutual. I am kind of saddened that we couldn't try to resolve issues better, but I think for all parties concerned at this time, the people in the Village of KJ now want to have their town of Palm Tree and the people of Monroe also agreed with them to have this separation. So I think as long as it is a positive and mutual separation, it will work."

Colon, who has been on the town board for eight years, was re-elected unopposed last fall.

He said he is ready to take the Democratic designation to a primary vote if necessary.