ALBANY, N.Y. — Along with Congressional maps, released last Friday by Special Master Jonathan Cervas were redrawn lines for the New York State Senate.
The Captial Region is divided into three main districts, the 43rd, 44th, and 46th.
The three districts lean in favor of Democrats but in two of the races Republicans do have either incumbency or more experience at the State Legislature.
The newly drawn 46th state Senate district includes portions of Albany, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. New York State Sen. Neil Breslin, a Democrat, is expected to run in the district which includes the city of Albany, Amsterdam, Bethlehem, Guilderland, New Scotland, and Scotia. Breslin, who represents the current 44th state Senate district on the old map, loses Troy and other portions of Rensselaer County. David Yule is the apparent Republican challenger to Breslin.
“With the new district lines being formalized, the Senate District that I have had the privilege of representing is going to look a lot different. It has truly been an honor representing the City of Troy and other parts of Rensselaer County for the past ten years. However, I am equally excited to continue to represent most of Albany County as well as the new parts of the district that will include Montgomery County and parts of Schenectady County,” Breslin stated on the new map.
The newly drawn 43rd state Senate district encompasses all of Rensselaer County and a majority of Washington County. It also includes Cohoes, Watervliet, and Colonie in Albany County. In the 2020 presidential election, Joe Biden would’ve garnered 54.5 percent of the district’s vote.
Republican Assemblyman Jake Ashby, who represents the 107th state Assembly district, announced his candidacy for the seat.
“After careful consideration and consulting with my family, friends, and colleagues, I am honored to formally announce my candidacy for the 43rd New York State Senate District,” Ashby, the current Vice-Chairman and an Army combat Veteran who has represented much of the new Senate District since taking office in April of 2018, said.
“I look forward to this exciting opportunity to continue serving our outstanding Capital District community and am committed to representing the people of Albany, Rensselaer, and Washington Counties in our State Legislature,” Ashby added.
Democratic candidates slated to primary and potentially face Ashby in November are Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple and Andrea Smyth, who previously ran and lost for Rensselaer County Executive in 2017.
Apple, whose campaign is gathering petitions, expects to make a formal announcement soon. He also outlined what voters can expect from his candidacy.
“1. Someone with a proven record of helping people.
2. Someone who always fights for the indigent, those with mental illness, substance abuse disorder, etc.
3. A longtime law enforcement officer who always balances justice with fairness.
4. A moderate Democrat. With that said I believe in responsible accountable gun ownership.
5. I have always considered myself a bit of a pragmatist. I believe I fit well into the new 43rd. And I look forward to working hard for the entire district. I am looking forward to restoring common sense.”
Smyth also commented on running in the new district.
“I was pleased to see the new state Senate maps created by the court-appointed special master. The 43rd District includes my home of Rensselaer County where I narrowly lost the county executive race in 2017, as well as Albany and Washington Counties. My campaign for Senate District 43 begins immediately,” Smyth stated.
The newly drawn 44th state Senate district race has already become quite contentious. The district includes Saratoga County and the city of Schenectady. The district would’ve given 56 percent of the vote to Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Sen. Daphne Jordan, of Halfmoon, who currently represents the 46th state Senate district on the old map, is running against Sen. James Tedisco, of Glenville, who currently represents the 49th state Senate district on the old map, in the Republican primary. By moving, Tedisco would avoid running against Breslin in the 46th district.
Jordan, a longtime Saratoga County resident, who has already garnered some key endorsements from party leaders, provided a statement on the new district and her campaign.
“When I learned that my friend and Senate colleague Jim Tedisco was planning to primary me, I was surprised and disappointed. I was especially surprised that he would consider running for this seat since he lives in Glenville, which is not in the district. Senator Tedisco showed ZERO interest in running for this district in its prior iteration when it contained the City of Troy,” she said. “He was silent and never expressed any interest in running because it was a Democrat-leaning district. Funny how things change! I’ve been a proud Saratoga County resident for over 25 years and have earned a positive, proven record as Senator for delivering real results and fighting for taxpayers, small businesses, and local communities.
“I’m proud to have already received strong, public endorsements from former Senator Kathy Marchione, the New York State Conservative Party and Chairman Jerry Kassar, Liz Joy, and former Congressman John Faso. Our Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt also publicly said that Senator Tedisco and I should each run in our own Senate Districts. I’ll continue focusing on meeting residents across the 44th Senate District and sharing my forward-looking agenda centered on affordability, opportunity, and security,” Jordan said.
Meanwhile, Tedisco is counting on grassroots support from voters across the district.
“The big grassroots momentum continues to build because we have the people’s support! We are two for two on straw poll wins in Saratoga County for the new 44th Senate District,” Tedisco said.
“First, we won the Milton Republican Committee’s support over the weekend. Last night, we won the Clifton Park Republican Committee’s straw poll!!!” Tedisco continued.
“They join the Schenectady County Republican Committee and the Schenectady County Conservative Party who have endorsed my candidacy for the 44th Senate District!” Tedisco explained.
“The most important voices in our representative democracy are the voters – not the Big Bosses and political insiders trying to tell people who to support!” Tedisco noted.
“Onward to victory and our ultimate goal of defeating the Democrats in November!” Tedisco added on the race.
Running in the Democratic primary are a couple of Schenectady County residents, Thearse McCalmon and Michelle Osterlich.
“As both Senator Jordan and Senator Tedisco argue over who best reflects the radical ideology of their base, Thearse is continuing to campaign around the district with her focus primarily on combating inflation and the robbery at the pump which is hurting all New Yorkers,” the McCalmon campaign stated.
“The lines for the State Senate have been finalized. My campaign is focused on the people of the 44th–Saratoga County, the City of Schenectady and my hometown of Niskayuna. It’s been our home, where we’ve raised our daughters, for the last 17 years. I’m excited to move this campaign forward. The Democratic Primary is August 23rd and the General Election is November 8th — I look forward to winning both and bringing the concerns of my constituents to the State Senate,” Osterlich remarked on the new maps.
