Syracuse city auditor, Philip LaTessa (left), Oswego County school administrator, Jane Fahey-Suddaby (center), and former Onondaga County legislator, Sam Roberts (right) are competing in a three-way Democratic primary for the seat that will be open when Assemblywoman Joan Christensen retires next year. A Republican has yet to enter the race.
With the retirement of veteran lawmaker Joan Christensen, voters so far have three choices among Democrats for the 119th State Assembly District in the fall 2010 election.
The three Democrats are Jane Fahey-Suddaby, assistant superintendent for instructional support services for Oswego County BOCES; Sam Roberts, a former Onondaga County legislator from Syracuse and now superintendent of the Hughes State Office Building in Syracuse; and Philip LaTessa, the auditor for the city of Syracuse.
As of early April, the Republicans had not fielded a candidate.
As long as more than one Democrat is in the race, the candidates will face each other in a primary election on Sept. 15, 2010. The general election is Nov. 2, 2010.
Incumbent Joan Christensen, D-Syracuse, announced in January that she will retire at the end of the current term. Christensen was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 1990.
The 119th Assembly District includes Salina, Dewitt, Onondaga and portions of the east and south side of Syracuse. It also includes Syracuse University, Le Moyne College as well as the Veterans Affairs, Crouse and University hospitals.
The 119th District is heavily Democratic. As of Nov. 1, 2009, the 119th District had 81,352 registered voters. Democrats made up 43 percent of registered voters in the District, while Republicans account for only 23 percent. This means that Democrats have nearly 14,000 more registered voters than Republicans.
In the New York State Assembly, the Democrats hold 109 Seats to 41 for Republicans. That gives the Democrats a supermajority to prevent filibusters. All 150 seats in the New York State Assembly are up for election in 2010.
Here’s an early look at the possible candidates from the 119th Assembly District for the fall:
Jane Fahey-Suddaby (Democrat)
Jane Fahey-Suddaby was raised in politics. Her father and brother are both judges who have run campaigns at the city, county and regional levels. But frustration with the current system, Fahey-Suddaby said, prompted her to make her own run for office.
“Something in me just turned,” said Fahey-Suddaby. “It was so frustrating to see the way things were being run in Albany and I just decided to throw in my hat.”
Fahey-Suddaby got her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a master’s degree in special education from Syracuse University and a certificate of advanced studies in school administration and supervision from SUNY Cortland.
Fahey-Suddaby, 54, has made a career in education. A native of Syracuse, Fahey-Suddaby worked for 13 years in the Syracuse City School District, 10 years in the Liverpool Central School District, and now works for the Oswego County BOCES.
Fahey-Suddaby cites wide exposure to the region as one of her qualifications for the State Assembly seat. “I have been able to see the struggles of both the heavily urban and heavily suburban regions of this district,” Fahey-Suddaby said. “There’s just so much variety of life that goes into making up the 119th District.”
On the economy, Fahey-Suddaby calls for more retraining of workers struggling to find new jobs. “It’s all about retaining the work force here,” said Fahey-Suddaby. “We must do whatever we can do to keep jobs here. We have such a rich work force that unfortunately is not prepared to handle the global economy. We can retrain these workers, and hopefully retain employment.”
On legislative reform, Fahey-Suddaby said she would like to more bi-partisan collaboration between Democrats and Republicans. She cautioned Democrats on using their supermajority to dominate the Assembly.
Fahey-Suddaby is also calling for more collaboration among newly elected members. “It’s not just about me,” she said. “I am hopeful in terms of this current election there will be a cohort of people who aren’t incumbents that will get elected, and be able to work together and get something done.”
Sam Roberts (Democrat)
Sam Roberts is promoting his campaign on his earlier legislative experience and economic reform.
Roberts, 53, is a native of Syracuse. He worked for 30 years at General Motors where he was a tool and die maker for the majority of his career. Roberts has also been a member of the United Auto Workers union for 35 years. Roberts has earned certificates in labor studies from Cornell University and associate degrees from Onondaga Community College.
Roberts was elected five times and served for 10 years as an Onondaga County legislator from Syracuse. In 2000, his district was eliminated when lawmakers re-drew the county’s district to create fewer but larger districts.
Roberts cites his legislative experience as an asset that distinguishes him in the field of candidates. “I’m the only one that has legislative experience, I know what it takes to get things through systems like this,” said Roberts. “And I intend to do that in Albany.”
Roberts views the economy as the premier challenge for the district right now. “Everything is stemming from the fact that we need money,” he said. “Whether it’s for education, jobs, healthcare, public safety or public services — this district needs someone who can go down there and try to bring something home for them.”
When Roberts worked in the county legislature, Democrats were in the minority. In the State Assembly, Roberts said, he would be excited about potentially working in a Democratic majority. “I’m a doer. I got things done in the county legislature in the face of harsh adversity,” Roberts said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what I can do with a lot of people behind me.”
Added Roberts: “I hope to be the strong yet compassionate voice that we need in Albany.”
Philip LaTessa (Democrat)
Philip LaTessa is pitching to voters his experience as city auditor and campaigning on promises of creating jobs and strengthening the state’s fiscal responsibility. He was first elected auditor in 2003 and re-elected in 2007 with no opposition.
LaTessa, 48, is also a native of Syracuse. He received his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1984.
After graduation, LaTessa started his first company, The Funding Source, a mortgage refinance lending company with more than 30 employees. In 2002, he started Weichert Realtors, a real estate firm with more than 60 employees. In 2004, LaTessa also started The Greatwood Companies. It includes Greatwood Title and Abstract, a title insurance company; Greatwood Appraisal, a company that offers appraisal services; and Greatwood Property Management, a property management company that focuses on properties in Central New York. The Greatwood Companies employ more than 100 people.
As auditor, LaTessa is responsible for drafting and analyzing the city budget. He conducts investigations, or audits, to determine whether city money is being spent efficiently. LaTessa serves as city auditor in addition to running his own companies.
LaTessa cites his first-hand experience creating jobs as a qualification of his candidacy. “I am the only candidate who has real experience creating jobs,” LaTessa said. “I have a history of battling unemployment behind me, and I intend to keep doing that against our current 10-percent unemployment.
On fiscal reform, LaTessa said that his previous experience as auditor will help him in Albany. “I’ve been known to advocate for transparency,” LaTessa said. “I’m fair and balanced, and a known independent. I am going to hold the government accountable.”
(Pete Smith is a junior with dual majors in newspaper journalism and Middle-Eastern studies.)
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