NY Senate candidate bikes, walks 49th district

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Schenectady Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman sits in the City Hall Rotunda on Tuesday, January 5, 2016.

Schenectady’s deputy city clerk kicked off a three-day biking and walking tour of the 49th Senate District this morning as part of his campaign for the seat.

Chad Putman is planning to bike and walk more than 120 miles starting today through Thursday to visit areas throughout the district, which includes parts of Saratoga and Schenectady counties along with Fulton, Hamilton and Herkimer counties.

Putman, a Democrat, is one of four people in the race for the second-largest Senate seat in the state now occupied by Hugh Farley. Farley, a Republican who has served in the Senate for 40 years, announced earlier this month he would not be seeking re-election.

Putman, 40, plans to travel the district starting in the city of Schenectady and ending in Long Lake to push for campaign finance reform and showcase the central Adirondacks.

“I’m walking the walk, not because it’s easy, but because the people deserve their government back,” he said. “Back from the influence of dark money and corporate greed.”

Putman kicked off his campaign at 10:30 a.m. this morning in Woodlawn Park. He also plans to meet with supporters at noon at Johnny’s restaurant on State Street.

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, announced his bid for the seat last week. Tedisco, who represents the 112th Assembly District, has served in the Assembly for 34 years.

Northville Republicans Christian Klueg and Nancy Nugent are also in the race for the seat.

Reach Gazette reporter Haley Viccaro at 395-3114, [email protected] or @HRViccaro on Twitter.