It looks like there’ll be a contested election for county executive after all.

Just hours after Jen Metzger won the Ulster Democratic Committee nomination Saturday evening, Town of Ulster Supervisor Jim Quigley announced his campaign Sunday. He will appear on the Republican and Conservative lines in the Nov. 8 special election to fill the remainder of Pat Ryan’s term.

Calling himself “uniquely qualified to solve the problems that confront county residents,” Quigley said if elected, he would devote himself to the efficient running of county government and not get distracted by other political opportunities. “For too long the office of county executive has been viewed as a birthright and used as a stepping stone for higher office,” the 12-year Town of Ulster supervisor stated in his announcement. “With the support of Ulster County voters, those days will end under my watch. I’m asking voters to help me usher in an era where our next county executive is qualified for the job, understands the day-to-day needs and challenges of the office, and has a proven track record of solving the complex problems of running local government. I am the only candidate in the race who can fulfill that promise and I believe the voters will come to the same conclusion,” Quigley said.

Quigley, his announcement stated, is a financial expert and a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with more than 30 years’ experience managing finances and complex organizations.

The supervisor’s last-minute announcement — the deadline for parties to announce their picks is Monday — will mean voters will have at least two candidates to choose from this fall. Ulster Dems had three vying for its line on the ballot, each lobbying committee members for their support ever since Pat Ryan won the Aug. 28 special election to serve the remainder of now-Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s term. If no one had come forward to run on the GOP line, Jen Metzger, the victor with 64 percent of the weighted vote, would’ve run unopposed.

Metzger, a former state senator, Rosendale councilwoman and activist who now serves on the state Cannabis Control Board, beat County Comptroller March Gallagher and Deputy County Exec Marc Rider in a vote taken Saturday evening in Council Chambers at Kingston City Hall.

“I am honored by the overwhelming support of the Ulster County Democratic Committee in nominating me to be the Democratic candidate on the November ballot for this important office, and hope to have the opportunity to build on Pat Ryan’s work here in Ulster County,” Metzger said in a post-victory statement. “I want to express my appreciation for fellow candidates March Gallagher and Marc Rider, and welcome the opportunity to work with them if I am elected in November.”