Dear Reader,

This week I was nominated by the Democratic and Working Families Parties to be their candidate in a special election for the 103rd Assembly District seat vacated when Marc Molinaro was elected Dutchess County Executive in November. The election, called by Gov. Andrew Cuomo,  is March 20, 2012 — less than two months away.  It is one of five special elections to be held that day in open seats around New York State.

I am honored by the nomination and touched by the outpouring of support for my candidacy from up and down the district. I have lived in the Hudson Valley for 25 years and my family roots in the region go back three generations. I work, play, eat out, shop, get my haircut, have coffee with colleagues in the towns of the NY 103rd AD. As an elected official I would expand my work with our communities to develop jobs, services and partnerships within the district.  I would be enormously proud to be a voice for my friends and neighbors in Dutchess and Columbia Counties in Albany.

I know these are challenging times for too many folks in the Hudson Valley.  I am committed to working hard to bring the resources to our towns that will create and keep local jobs.  I will work with our municipalities and schools to get relief from unfunded mandates. I will partner with Governor Cuomo to move our state economy forward, control spending and cut taxes.  I will continue to be a passionate advocate for this beautiful region and help us realize the untapped potential of our natural, cultural, historical and agricultural resources as economic engines and job generators.

Two months is a short campaign but this is an important election for this region. I will be working hard going door to door, stopping in every diner and talking to as many folks in the 103rd as wish to share their thoughts with me.

I’ll continue to keep you posted.  Here are stories from the Poughkeepsie Journal and Columbia County’s Register-Star.