Quoted Text

Legislature seats draw candidates

First published in print: Thursday, June 25, 2009

SCHENECTADY-- With only four Republicans on the Schenectady County Legislature, the 15-member panel is solidly Democratic. And the Democrats stand to solidify their hold on power since GOP lawmaker Joseph Suhrada is not seeking re-election.

But that is apparently not enough to deter attorney Michael Mansion, a self-described fiscal conservative who recently declared his candidacy for District 3.

The GOP candidate is campaigning with Kurt Sermon and Tim McFarland. In a press release, Mansion says his top priority will be to provide some relief to tax-weary county residents.

"The county's ever-increasing tax burden affects everyone, especially our senior citizens and young families," he said in the statement. "We cannot continue to saddle the taxpayers with this burden." District 3 covers Niskayuna, Scotia and Glenville.

The incumbents seeking re-election in District 3 are Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, Martin Finn, and Brian Gordon.

In District 4, Delanson resident and newcomer Brad Littlefield has announced he plans to run. He has proposed a property tax cap below the rate of inflation. The district includes Duanesburg, Princetown and Rotterdam. Littlefield is running without the endorsement of either of the major political parties. In District 4, Democrat Judith Dagostino is the incumbent.

Suhrada is giving up his seat to run for spot on the Rotterdam Town Council.

The other incumbents vying for another term are Philip Fields in District 2 and Karen Johnson in District 1, both of which include the city of Schenectady.