An Orange County legislator who missed nearly every single legislative meeting for the past three years is now running for City of Middletown mayor, despite his controversial track record.

Joel Sierra was a full-time firefighter in Middletown when he was hurt on the job in 2022 – shortly after he was elected to represent the city in county government.

“I had a brain bleed and lost brain fluid. It was life-threatening at the time,” says Sierra. “I was hit on the head by an outrigger, a stabilizer for the ladder system on a truck.”

Since then, while Sierra healed, officials and the public have called on him to step down after he stopped attending meetings and therefore, couldn’t vote on issues impacting constituents, but Sierra stayed on and earned nearly $100,000 over the past three years for what critics say was a no-show job.

“I think it’s ludicrous. You’re talking about almost three years of no representation,” says Joe Masi, City of Middletown first-ward alderman. “I don’t know how you look people in the eyes and say I want to be the next mayor when for almost three years, I didn’t do my job as county legislator.”

Sierra says while he didn’t attend legislative meetings in person, he was patched in virtually and remained in communication with leaders and constituents. His term ends this year and instead of running for county legislature again, Sierra is seeking enough signatures to run for mayor against longtime incumbent Joe Destefano in the Democratic primary.

DeStefano put out a statement saying, “Being Mayor is a full-time job not a ceremonial title or political hobby.”

Sierra says he’s feeling better in recent months and resumed attending legislative meetings in December. He spoke to News 12 about his bid, surrounded by a small group of supporters at a “think tank” for local entrepreneurs on Montgomery Street in Middletown.

“My situation is improving. I still have some lingering issues. I still go to physical therapy," Sierra says.

Some residents, however, expressed concerns.

“He should not be allowed to run the city. Middletown is doing well under DeStefano,” says Sandra Bell. “I’ve lived here for 20 years and businesses are really happy. A lot of revisions. The place looks great.”

Sierra says downtown revitalization and issues impacting minorities are his top concerns.

“The demographics are changing. I want to bring opportunity to minorities and minority-owned businesses here," he says.

He needs 450 resident signatures to run against DeStefano in the Democratic primary and says he currently has roughly 200.

If elected, Sierra says this time, he’ll show up for the job.