Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara is once again eyeing a seat on the New York State Assembly.
Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, kicked off his campaign for the new 111th Assembly District on Sunday, April 22, in the hallway outside of Proctors Theatre as shoppers at the Schenectady Greenmarket passed by, some looking confused by the large gathering. Santabarbara made his announcement with a smattering of Democrats from the county legislature and the Town of Rotterdam.
Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, also shared his support for Santabarbara and said he has the right skills for the job.
“Here’s an engineer well trained in science and technology. We are one of the fastest growing regions in the country for high tech, clean energy, innovation jobs. We need someone technically savvy to carry on with the lobbying and advocacy and the public policy and the resource networking in Albany,” Tonko said.
The crowd of supporters chanted, “Angelo, Angelo, Angelo,” as he stepped up to the podium.
“Now, as I stand here, I’m honored to be the democratic candidate for New York State Assembly’s 111th District,” Santabarbara said.
Previously, Santabarbara ran against incumbent 105th District Assemblyman George Amedore in the 2010 election, but was unsuccessful. The new 111th Assembly District, which includes Montgomery County, most of Schenectady County and two towns in Albany County, is very similar to the current 105th District.
In the 2010 election, Schenectady County was a much tighter race for Santabarbara than Montgomery County in the 105th District; Amedore held a substantial lead over Santabarbara in the latter.
Santabarbara said all parts of the 111th District are equally important and he wants to spend as much time as he can in each.
“I’m from (Schenectady County), but I want the people in Montgomery County to know that they are equally as important to me and I want to know what their issues are, I want to know what their concerns are so that I can properly represent them,” Santabarbara said.
He said his focus is on creating more job opportunities and helping spur economic development to help stimulate the economy. Also, he wants to give taxpayers “relief that they’re asking for.”
“As a life long resident of this area, I am committed to helping our families and I will continue to devote myself to that cause,” he said. “The success we have had on the county legislature comes from working together and that is what we want to bring to our state legislature.”
Santabarbara pointed to economic development achievements made while he’s been on the legislature. Also, he said the county government has “streamlined” how it operates to reduce costs.
He touted he has never voted for a tax levy increase since joining the legislature in 2007, too.
As municipalities and school districts have faced new budget requirements under the state mandated tax cap, many elected officials have complained about state mandates. Santabarbara said state mandates should be paid by the state or “not exist at all.”
Santabarbara referenced Tonko’s earlier comments and said engineers like being able to solve problems.
“If you send me to Albany in November I will work hard to solve the problems facing this state,” he said.
Santabarbara is likely to be running against Town of Minden Supervisor Thomas Quackenbush, who has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Republican Committee. Quackenbush has 17 years of experience in local government. He formally announced his intentions to run for the seat on April 11 in Fonda.
Schenectady County Republican Committee Chairman James Buhrmaster said its members are holding a meeting on Thursday, April 26, at which the committee is planning to formally announce its endorsements. Buhrmaster said he expects Quackenbush to be endorsed by the committee.
