The 46th state Senate District race between Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk and Republican George Amedore is heating up - Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has a look at the two candidates.
Both Cecilia Tkaczyk and her Republican opponent, state Assemblyman George Amedore, have "grass-roots" elements to their campaigns and are making promises accordingly.
Tkaczyk, was brought up on a dairy farm, has worked as a senior legislative analyst for the New York State Senate Majority Conference, and served as president of the Duanesburg Central School District Board of Education.
From the start of his political career, Amedore has presented himself as a businessman who understands the unique problems facing small businesses in New York.
The candidates take different stances when it comes to hydrofracking and campaign financing, but they are polar opposites when it comes to legislating as a full-time job: Tkaczyk insists it should be
Amedore, who has promised to vote against any proposed increase in legislative pay, says he is "a citizen legislator" and that's "the way the system is designed."
Congressman Chris Gibson says George Amedore will make a "tremendous State Senator: commenting on the republicans, Democratic State Senator Neil Breslin says "they have the money, we have the candidate."
The 46th includes all of Greene and Montgomery counties, as well as parts of Ulster, Albany and Schenectady Counties.
It was drawn up during redistricting and expands the Senate from 62 to 63 seats.
Tkaczyk has also been endorsed by the two Democratic Congressman whose districts converge with the newly configured 46th — the retiring Maurice Hinchey, and Paul Tonko.
