Assemblyman Chris Tague will have an opponent when he seeks re-election for the 102nd District in November.
And maybe two opponents.
Janet Tweed of Delhi won the Democratic primary in late June, so she’ll be on the ballot facing Mr. Tague, the Republican who’s running for his fourth full two-year term.
Ms. Tweed defeated Mary Finneran in the primary, but Ms. Finneran isn’t accepting the results until the state Board of Elections makes it official. Ms. Finneran reportedly is endorsed by the Working Families Party.
A physical therapist, Ms. Tweed is a trustee on the Delhi Village Board and was a on the Delhi Town Board before that.
In a statement released Friday, Ms. Tweed thanked her supporters.
“As a frontline healthcare worker, my goal is always to help my patients grow from surviving to thriving, and I have the same goal for our communities,” Ms. Tweed said.
Social issues are key, she added.
“On issues of fundamental human rights––for workers, for women, for LGBTO+ people––Tague is consistently on the wrong side of history,” Ms. Tweed said.
Theresa Heary, Schoharie County Democratic chair, called Ms. Tweed “a wonderful candidate.”
Ms. Heary stressed Ms. Tweed’s ability to tackle healthcare and environmental issues in the 102nd.
“She has been working to address infrastructure and climate resiliency in Delaware County and will bring that mission to all of our Assembly District,” Ms. Heary said.
But Assemblyman Tague countered that both candidates are too heavily focused on social issues and are “not in touch with working people.”
With Democrats in control of the legislature and governor’s office, New York’s spending is out of control, Assemblyman Tague said.
When he took office in 2018––filling the remainder of Pete Lopez’ term––the state budget was $168 billion. Now it’s $237 billion.
“They’re spending money the state doesn’t have and the people don’t have,” Assemblyman Tague said. “Affordability is the real issue to working people.”
A longtime supporter of farmers, Assemblyman Tague said he’ll continue to fight for agriculture “because that’s our economic driver.”
Part of the problem, he added, is Democrats’ willingness to support solar farms over local issues, like agriculture.
“If they keep putting up solar farms, it will destroy farming forever,” Assemblyman Tague said.
The 102nd is heavily Republican, but Ms. Heary said Ms. Tweed is up to the challenge.
“We know it is going to be a tough race, but Janet is no stranger to hard work,” Ms. Heary said.
Assemblyman Tague is ready.
“They’d better buckle up,” he said. “I campaign hard, and I’m everywhere.”