Landry to run for Assembly; Democratic hopefuls list grows (with video)

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Lombardo

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Niskayuna Supervisor Joe Landry is now vying to represent his town in the New York State Assembly.

The three-term Democrat announced on Sunday that he will run for his party’s nomination in the new 110th Assembly District, which includes Niskayuna, part of Schenectady and Colonie. The seat is empty with the retirement of Bob Reilly, but the list of Democratic hopefuls already includes Albany County Legislator Tim Nichols, Albany County Legislator Phil Steck and Assembly staffer Kevin Frazier. Colonie attorney Jennifer Whalen, who narrowly lost to Reilly in 2010, is the presumptive Republican nominee.

Outside the Niskayuna Town Hall, in front of about three dozen Landry supporters, including Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Judy D’Agostino and Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy laid out the case for why Landry should succeed Reilly.

“There is nobody I can think of who is better suited because of his experience in local government, county government and state government, to be a representative in the New York State Assembly,” McCarthy said, adding that Landry is a “great leader” with a record he can be proud of.

For his part, Landry, who serves as counsel to the Schenectady County Legislature and previously was counsel for the Democrats in the Assembly, touted his background of elected service as the reason he should emerge with the party’s nomination, which will likely be decided by a primary election in September.

He said the four-way primary will allow him to contrast himself with his opponents, especially when it comes to the type of elected experience. “I am the only town supervisor running,” he said. “I think it’s much tougher running a town on a day-to-day basis … and I hope the voters will recognize that when I am out campaigning.”

Describing the new district as a mix of urban and suburban concerns, Landry said he will focus on creating new economic opportunities, adequately funding public education and working for “fairness.” He honed in on state aid to localities, which he said has been disproportionately low for the city of Schenectady and promised to change that once elected.

He added, “Now more than ever we need strong Democratic representation in the Assembly.”

In other political news, Ithaca Democrat Howard Leib has filed paperwork to run against state Sen. James Seward, R-Milford, who ran unchallenged in 2010. The two would be facing off in the newly constructed 51st Senate District, which includes Schoharie County.