Farley to face primary challenge

Northville real estate agent Christian Klueg, left, will challenge incumbent state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna, in a primary for Farley's 49th Senate District seat.

Longtime state Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Niskayuna who has represented the 49th Senate District for nearly 40 years, will face a primary challenge next year for the first time since 1992.

Christian Klueg, a 33-year-old real estate agent from the Fulton County town of Northville, said he plans to announce his intention to seek the Republican nomination later this week.

Klueg on Wednesday said he will be outlining his platform and reasons for running in a press release today and making his official announcement at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Farley, 82, said he heard of Klueg’s intentions several weeks ago and is not flustered by the challenge.

“I respect people who want to run for office,” he said. “I wish him well. I have no regrets, and I’m proud of my record.”

Farley has been in office since 1976. He is currently the longest-serving member of the state Senate and number three in the Republican ranks.

His last primary challenge, in 1992, came from Republican Roy McDonald, who later represented the 112th District in the state Assembly and then the 42nd District in the Senate.

“And I won that four-to-one,” said Farley.

The 49th Senate District includes all or parts of Schenectady, Saratoga, Fulton, Hamilton, and Herkimer counties.

Klueg owns CMK & Associates Real Estate and CMK Marketing. He said this will be his first time running for elected office.

Farley said it’s too early to confirm whether he’ll be seeking re-election, but added, “I enjoy being a senator and I have a lot of work to do right now.”