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U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Endorses State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk On Re-Election Bid

WAMC photo by Dave Lucas

New York State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk today received an official endorsement from fellow Democrat U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Senator Schumer and Congressman Paul Tonko joined Senator Tkaczyk to announce the endorsement at the Rotterdam Public Library.

Tkaczyk faces former Rotterdam Assemblyman George Amedore in a rematch of a race decided by 18 votes two years ago.

On Amedore's home turf, Chuck Schumer beamed as he proclaimed his fellow Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk deserves a second term representing the 46th district in the state Senate.   "The number one reason that I am for CeCe, is very simple. I have made it my passion in my career to fight for the middle class. The middle class is hurting. Hurting in upstate New York. Hurting in America. Incomes are going down for the first time."

The Tkaczyk-Amedore rematch is considered a key race in a chamber that rarely tosses incumbents. But in a year when Governor Cuomo has pledged to help Democrats retake the Senate, every seat counts.

Tonko cited Tkaczyk's dedication, devotion, advocacy and passion for making a difference, reflecting the ideals of the people of the 46th.   "She's an active, visible, participating, networking, 'in the know' legislator. You don't displace what's working. You actually promote it and encourage it to come back and do even better and greater things. “

Tkaczyk credited Schumer and Tonko with helping focus her ambitions; shaping her political destiny.    "I knew we needed someone who could go to Albany and work as hard as these two, and that person was me. They were a model I followed, and I couldn't be prouder that they're standing with me today and supporting my re-election campaign."

She acknowledges the battle with Amedore could once again be a close call.    "To me, it was a landslide that I got in. And it's up to the voters to keep me there. So it's really important that we have a great turnout and that people don't sit on the sidelines and wonder why they have one person or the other after November 4th. It's really imperative that people get out and make their choice."

Amedore campaign spokeswoman Eileen Miller:  "After Cuomo's endorsement this weekend, it's not surprising another liberal New York City politician is endorsing Cecilia Tkaczyk. This district need a strong representative who will fight for Upstate -- the only endorsement George Amedore is concerned about is the one by the residents of the 46th Senate district."

Tkaczyk says she goes door-to-door every night, campaigning, and vowed if re-elected she'll push for raising the minimum wage and for making high-speed internet available throughout every county of the state.

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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