Andrews

A Democrat has emerged as a possible candidate for the 43^rd Senate District, a race that’s been dominated by the Republican primary between Sen. Roy McDonald and Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione.

Robin Andrews, the supervisor in the Columbia County town of Claverack, is set to interview in front of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee tonight and will likely get the nod.

“I’m impressed with Robin’s credentials and her ability to win,” said Rensselaer County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Wade. “She certainly appears to have the drive necessary to conduct a competitive campaign.”

Andrews is in her third year as supervisor of Claverack and, according to her website, she is a budget and planning consultant for magazines including ESPN, Wall Street Journal and Yankee.

McDonald

Marchione

The 43^rd District has been a Republican stronghold and while the enrollment still gives the GOP an advantage, the dynamic has changed a bit with the new lines. The 43^rd now includes all of Columbia County, where Democrats now outnumber Republicans 12,825 to 12,325 as of April 1, most of Rensselaer County, minus most of the City of Troy and the City of Rensselaer, a chunk of Saratoga County and two towns in Washington County.

But, more noteworthy than enrollment this year is if McDonald and Marchione stay on the ballot. They are already rumbling for the Republican line with each camp touting different committee endorsements and Marchione is likely to get the Conservative Party endorsement – thanks to McDonald’s vote for same sex marriage last year – and the Independence Party has pledged to support McDonald. A three-way race with two Republicans on the ballot obviously helps out the Democrat.

 More information as it becomes available.