News - Clock ticking on local election

There are currently three major political battles being waged in Saratoga County. They include the 20th Congressional District, the 43rd State Senate District and the 112th Assembly District.

In a heated race for the 20th Congressional District, incumbent Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican challenger Sandy Treadwell have featured a variety of negative ads about one another. In the ads, Gillibrand has targeted Treadwell’s support of the failed Bush agenda, while Treadwell questioned Gillibrand’s voting record on taxes and her work as an attorney on behalf of big tobacco companies. According to campaign finance reports, Gillibrand has spent more than $3 million on her campaign to date, while Treadwell has spent approximately $4.5 million.

This past week the two candidates took part in two of three scheduled debates. The first was held in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday and the second at WMHT studios in Troy on Thursday. The final debate will take place at the WNYT studios in Menands on Oct. 28 and will be aired live that evening at 7 p.m.

The battle for the 43rd State Senate District started earlier this year when incumbent Republican Senator Joe Bruno shocked people throughout New York State when he announced his decision not to seek re-election. This gave way to Assemblyman Roy McDonald and former Gillibrand aide Mike Russo’s bid for the vacated position.

Republicans currently hold 30 of 31 seats in the state Senate. Races like the one in the 43rd Senate District will determine whether or not Republicans maintain control of the state Senate or if Democrats seize the majority for the first time in more than four decades, according to the Siena Research Institute.

McDonald’s decision to seek the state Senate seat has also vacated the 112th Assembly District position, which pits Republican Tony Jordan and Democrat Ian McGaughey against one another.

The two candidates are running on similar platforms that include working across party lines, addressing home heating fuel costs and combating rising property taxes, although they have differing views on how to accomplish these goals. McGaughey has also promised to donate his entire $79,500 salary to charity.

Although most of the major political positions in Saratoga Springs were determined during last year’s election, the race for city court judge is currently underway between two former city attorneys.

Republican Matt Dorsey, who has practiced law in the city for a decade, served as the city’s attorney from 2004 to 2005 and previously sat on a special counsel to the city for assessment case defense. Wait has spent the last four years in Saratoga Springs running a private practice.

He served as the city’s attorney from 2000 to 2004 and has served as deputy counsel to the New York Board of Elections. Both candidates have been endorsed by their respective parties.

Polling places throughout Saratoga County will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 4. For a full list of rules and polling locations, visit: www.elections.state.ny.us/.