One of the state Senate’s longest-serving members is facing a challenge this November from a political newcomer.
Republican Hugh Farley and Democrat Madelyn Thorne are set to face off in a contest for to represent the new 49th Senate District. Thorne kicked off her campaign on Sunday, July 1, at Proctor’s Theater.
The 49th Senate District includes eastern Schenectady County, western Saratoga County, Hamilton County, Fulton County as well as a majority of northern Herkimer County.
Farley has been in the Senate for 36 years and is seeking to add a 19th term to his legacy. Prior to his Senate career, Farley sat on the Niskayuna Town Board for seven years. He said the Senate has had a good year with an “on time budget and no new taxes” and that he always looks forward to campaigning.
“It’s a brand new district, the second largest in the state, and I’m excited about it,” he said.
Farley added that from everything he’s heard of Thorne, “she’s a lovely person.”
Thorne has spent much of her adult life volunteering in one capacity or another. She is presently on the Advisory Council for long-term care for Schenectady County’s Glendale Nursing Home. She is also the director of pastoral care there and in charge of volunteer recruitment.
Thorne was previously employed in the private sector as a salesperson.
Thorne acknowledged she faces a huge challenge, but cited Farley’s time in office as a reason for her run.
“I also feel that people are ready for a change. …. I’ve had some very strong stalwart Republicans who are saying to me, ‘It is time, the guy’s gotta go.’ He’s not as effective as he was at one time and I think a lot of his connections are gone.”
Both candidates placed economic development at the top of their agendas. Farley plans on “getting the fiscal house in order and to reign in government spending.” Specifically, he said he’ll be working on creating jobs, not raising taxes and removing hindrances to businesses.
To date, he said he has passed “every piece of legislation I’ve sponsored” – most notably among them library legislation.
“Libraries are the cathedrals of learning for the general public. There are a lot of challenges in education,” Farley said.
Farley’s long tenure in the Senate means he’s been there for some of its famously inept moments, as well. He said things have improved markedly in the past few sessions.
“We went from the most dysfunctional legislature when we lost control — it was terrible — to one of the best operating legislatures in action… now with on-time budgets,” he said.
Thorne said she is building her platform on getting government focus “back on the working middle-class person.”
“I feel that we’ve lost focus of who government is supposed to be taking care of,” she said.
She pointed to recent disputes in Albany about union contracts.
“Breaking unions away from collective bargaining is not the solution,” Thorne said. “What they are trying to do is pull everything back from the unions rather than find a way to get benefits to all hard working people. There must be a solution that works for business and their employees.”
On a national note, the two candidates diverged on what has been the hot-button topic of the day: the health care reform law. Farley said he’d like to see it done away with and overhauled.
“I am concerned about the cost that’s involved…I’m also concerned that it may lead to rationing and be a detriment, particularly to our elderly,” he said.
Thorne, on the other hand, fully supports the recently upheld law.
“I think Obamacare is going to address a lot of the shortcomings we have within our health care system,” she said.
Thorne said that her campaign is not accepting any funds until after the July 12 deadline to file petitions, but she expects to raise about$75,000. Farley had nearly $100,000 in his war chest as of January, when the most recent figures are available.
