After a year of driving more than 48,000 miles, working seven days a week and holding dozens of town hall meetings, Assemblyman Pete Lopez announced his re-election bid Wednesday afternoon.
In the shadow of Lasall Hall on Main Street Schoharie, Assemblyman Lopez, surrounded by his wife Lisa and parents Pedro and Barbara, and about 40 other supporters, said his first year in the Assembly was a busy one but there are many more issues to address.
“Property taxes, energy prices and job creation are a few of the many critical issues that we still need to tackle,” he said.
Rising energy costs, property taxes and health insurance costs are putting “the big squeeze” on upstate residents who are “voting with their feet” and leaving New York, Assemblyman Lopez said.
Changes have to be made in Albany, which Assemblyman Lopez said, “continues to be a ‘Never, Never Land where many lose touch with the issues most important to our families, farms, and small businesses.”
Many in Albany are “using their energies in attempts to force feed us with narrow agendas like drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants,” the Assemblyman said.
He opposed that plan and said he will continue to work toward constructive change.
The system can work, said Assemblyman Lopez, a former Schoharie town supervisor and Schoharie County clerk, noting work between upstate and downstate officials on the Dairy Reinvestment Act.
The act had stalled in the state budget last year and “our struggling dairy farm families faced total disaster,” he said.
With an “open mind and positive agenda,” he said, “we were able to reach out to these people” and come up with an agreement.
“That’s how Albany should work,” he said, if not, then there is only gridlock and the people of the state cannot afford that.
Assemblyman Lopez, who received support from Republican county party chairman Lewis Wilson, Bill Hanson, the head of the county’s conservative party, county board Chairman Earl VanWormer and Middleburgh Supervisor Dennis Richards, said he will continue to work hard for the people of the 127th district.
“Our goal is to serve everyone faithfully.”
In his first year in office, the Assemblyman said he helped pass a number of reforms including those on budget, ethics and workers’ compensation.
He said he also dedicated much of his time to working for farm families and small businesses, passing measures aimed at expanding health insurance options, easing restrictions and regulations and providing targeted financial assistance for struggling dairy farmers.
Mr. Lopez said he drove more than 48,000 miles in his first year in office, holding scores of town hall and other special meetings, meeting constituents and holding forums on alternative energy sources.
“My office is here to serve,” he said.
Assemblyman Lopez, a Republican, was opposed by Democrat Scott Trees of Summit in November 2006.
No opponent has yet surfaced, officials said Wednesday.
“I can’t think of anyone who would have the nerve to run against him,” Mr. Wilson said.
The party chairman praised Mr. Lopez on his first year in office.
“He’s done an outstanding job and left an excellent record,” Mr. Wilson said.
“You’ve made quite an impression.”