Following a weeks-long war of words, New York State Senator Daphne Jordan says she will not campaign for reelection in the face of a challenge from a fellow Capital Region Republican.
Senator Jim Tedisco, who represents the 49th district, decided to run in the 44th after the state’s redistricting process, a move that drew criticism from Jordan and other Republicans. Although he doesn’t live within the new boundaries, he said he already represents a large portion of the district.
Jordan, from Halfmoon, contended she had the rightful geographic claim to the new district. She resisted pressure from Tedisco and local allies for weeks. But on Tuesday, Senator Jordan, currently of the 43rd district, announced she will not actively run in the new 44th district after all.
Tedisco thanked Jordan for her "dedicated public service" in a statement Tuesday and said it’s time for Republicans to come together.
Jordan was less magnanimous.
Jordan claimed Tedisco’s actions prevent Republicans from potentially picking up a seat in the Democrat-led Senate “by pitting himself against a colleague.”
She added Tedisco created “a circus atmosphere” by running against a former friend.
New State Senate maps were approved in May. Speaking to WAMC last month, Jordan said she thought her colleague would run in the new 46th District, which includes Montgomery County, as well as portions of Albany and Schenectady Counties.
“When the map came out, we were sitting in session together. And we actually were very happy that we weren't pitted against each other,” said Jordan.
Jordan thinks Tedisco should have taken on Democrat Neil Breslin there.
“Jim knows a lot of those people. He's been out that way. And he's used to getting around. So Jim should have confidence that he can do this."
The current 49th District includes all of Fulton and Hamilton Counties, as well as parts of Saratoga and Schenectady County.
While working to lock up local committee endorsements, Tedisco held firm and said the 44th’s district boundary is three miles from his Glenville home.
“I'm the strong voice out there in Saratoga and Schenectady. I've got a footprint there."
The Republican who previously served for decades in the State Assembly has for several years held a district office in the Saratoga County Town of Clifton Park. He told WAMC the new district is home to many of his constituents.
"It includes the city of Schenectady. It includes Niskayuna, and includes all of Saratoga County and the 12 towns I represent right now. That's 60% of my present district.”
The dispute drew the attention of State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt, who sided with Jordan.
Late last month, the Saratoga County Republican Party Executive Committee endorsed Tedisco in the 44th.
Jordan characterized the meeting as “smoke and mirrors.”
“Let's take it to the people that live in the district and see who they want to represent them. I'll also say that if Jim Tedisco hasn’t gotten accomplished what he had set out to do in his 40 years in the legislature, what makes him think or what why would anyone believe that two more years is going to make a difference?"
After receiving and accepting the committee’s endorsement, Tedisco said in a statement he realizes “feelings are bruised and emotions are running high.”
He thanked Jordan and asked her to accept the results in order to “avoid a costly and bitter primary that will only help the Democrats.”
Jordan did not appear to accept the results. In a statement soon after, she said in part:
“These kinds of backdoor political machinations are exactly why term limits are so critical; people feel beholden to Jim because he’s been in office for such a very long time.”
Now, just over two weeks later, Jordan announced a “difficult decision to not actively campaign.” Her name will still appear on the Republican primary ballot in August.
In a statement, Tedisco said the conflict with Jordan was “never personal” for him and said he was proud of the “overwhelming response” he has received from voters in Schenectady and Saratoga Counties.
