Earlier this month, Governor Kathy Hochul signed new Congressional and state district lines approved by the Democratic-controlled legislature after the redistricting committee deadlocked. In the new 106th state Assembly district, three Republican candidates are challenging Democrat Didi Barrett.
Catrina Rocco of Poughkeepsie has a long career in education and has resided in Dutchess County the past eight years. She says she’s running because she feels the state is going off track.
"I want us to be the Empire State again, and rightfully to be able to call ourselves the Empire State," Rocco said. "I just think that New York is changing very rapidly, very fast and going in the wrong direction. And I would like to do what I can to restore us."
Rocco says her main concerns are community and people.
"I believe that there's a middle class, ordinary, average New Yorker that really feels that their voices aren't being heard anymore."
Brandon Gaylord of Chatham teaches at Green Tech Charter High School in Albany, and says he champions "small town communities." The candidate says state government isn't working for a majority of people, noting that New York’s population has been lagging.
"I'm running for Assembly so that I can sort of stop what's been happening and bring people together," said Gaylord. "I'm really trying to create a coalition of unity around a shared love for our state despite political differences, and really working to make the state a better place for everybody."
Gaylord is opposed to cashless bail. He is alarmed about the rise of violence and says he finds support for his views on both sides of the aisle.
"When I'm talking to people about public safety, and about cashless bail, there's no point in really pointing fingers and saying, 'You voted for this, or you voted for that,' " said Gaylord. "What I'm saying to people is, let's agree that our towns and our state is becoming more dangerous every day. And that's something needs to change."
Rocco echoes Gaylord's stance on bail and shares his concern with people leaving the state. Gaylord says he's also troubled about inflation and the cost of living. Rocco is on that same page too.
"Our housing market is growing to the point where we have no inventory," Rocco said. "Middle sized farms, really are going to have a hard time with what was just passed on the Farm Laborers Wage Board, you know, the overtime pay rate going down to, from 60 to 40, would be devastating. And I think dealing with farms that have a very slim margin of profit to begin with, we're almost asking them to put themselves out of business."
With redistricting, the 106th, which ran from Poughkeepsie to Ghent in the north, including parts of Dutchess and Columbia Counties, gains some territory going northward to include more of Columbia County. Gaylord says with the new map Chatham is actually cut out of the 106th, but he will be moving into the district should he win the November election.
"At the end of the day all I want to do is see upstate New York healthy, and see it thrive, and do my part to make that happen," Gaylord said.
Gaylord and Rocco will face off in the June primary against Dean Michael, who lost to Barrett in 2020. Michael, who describes himself as a businessman and active community member, declared his candidacy last fall. He’s counting on name recognition to help him snare a primary victory.
“There's certainly major differences between the other two candidates and myself," Michael said. "They're both pretty much half my age, which is not a big difference. But still, I've been around the block a little longer, so I have a little more knowledge and experience. I also grew up in the area. The other two challenges have not.”
Barrett, elected in a special election in March 2012, is now in her fourth full term. Her campaign responded to a request for comment via email, saying she hopes to continue to be a voice for her constituents, quote:
“I believe we have serious work to do in our rural and upstate communities, especially when it comes to attracting young families and encouraging our neighbors to remain in the region. We know Columbia County has spectacular natural resources and offers a very special lifestyle, but we must also ensure we have the jobs, housing, transportation and healthcare – and of course broadband – to meet 21st century needs.”
