Note: The post has been updated 5/15/15
A race for New York’s 49th Senate District has begun early, as a political newcomer formally announced his candidacy.
Christian Klueg, a Northville real estate broker, will run as a Republican in the district that stretches across Schenectady, Saratoga, Herkimer, Fulton, and Hamilton counties.
Klueg has never run for office before. He currently sits on the Fulton County Republican Committee.
Klueg rolled out a campaign video on his website Thursday. Klueg said Friday his early entry to the race will give him enough time to campaign across the district.
“I’m running for the 49th district because I’m passionate about our state, I love where I live and I see the direction we’re going and I think something needs to change,” said Klueg.
Senator Hugh Farley has represented the 49th district for decades. The 82-year-old Farley is now serving his 15th term after defeating Democrat Madelyn Thorne last November.
33-year-old Klueg said he is not entering the race to run in a primary against Farley.
“Obviously Senator Farley is the longest serving senator, so from that standpoint, I don’t think he should be in office anymore. I think people are ready for a change,” said Klueg.
Farley would not say if he was running for re-election. He did welcome Klueg to the race.
“It’s a little early. As I say, it’s not until the fall of 2016. I’m more focusing on trying to get through this session and doing my work as a senator, as opposed to thinking about re-election. But by and large it’s exciting and I love my job and I’m proud of my record, so we’ll go from there,” said Farley.
Klueg’s announcement comes days after Senate Republicans voted to elect a new majority leader to replace Dean Skelos, who along with his son is facing federal corruption charges. The 63-member Senate voted in Long Island Republican John Flanagan, who narrowly outbid John DeFrancisco of Syracuse.
Farley was one of the upstate Republicans who voted for Flanagan. Flanagan, along with Skelos, voted to approve New York’s controversial SAFE Act gun control law pushed by Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. The measure remains a target of upstate Republicans.
Klueg said he did not tie his announcement to Monday’s vote, but said he would have voted for DeFrancisco.
Klueg said Albany is not doing enough to reduce energy costs and cut red tape for businesses.
“And there’s no been relief from Albany on those issues, but yet they go spend $211 million on a START-UP NY campaign that is just helping a select few. So from an economic standpoint, we need those common sense legislations that are going to bring down the costs on our small businesses,” said Klueg.
The START-UP NY program allows businesses to set up shop tax-free if they locate near an eligible college or university campus. A recent audit by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli showed the program created 76 jobs in 2014.
No Democratic candidates have yet announced their entry into the race for the 49th District.
