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Seward trounces Barber in 51st Senate District

By Billie Dunn

CATSKILL — State Sen. James Seward, who represents New York’s 51st district, has served as a senator for 22 years, and unofficial election results declared him the winner again Tuesday night, for what will be his 12th 2-year senate term.

“I’m very pleased and gratified, and thankful to the voters who have overwhelmingly supported my candidacy,” said Seward, “They took the time to look at my record of service and dedication.”

Seward cast his ballot at Milford Town Hall in Portlandville at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, before joining his supporters at campaign headquarters on Dietz Street in Oneonta in the evening.

Democrat Don Barber challenged Seward for his senate seat, and according to Seward this is the first time in 14 years that he’s been challenged by the party.

“Barber ran a very aggressive campaign, and was an active opponent,” Seward said.

Barber says he ran for election for two primary reasons, “First and foremost, we wanted to give people a choice,” he said, “We also wanted to give the working people a voice — and we did,” said Barber, who noted that he ran an issues-based campaign, speaking out about the economy, the environment, energy, education, and affordable health care.

Though he hasn’t committed to running again, Barber encourages his supporters to continue to speak out.

“There was an outpouring of volunteers and grassroot support, and it made the entire campaign worthwhile,” said Barber.

Seward, an Otsego County native, attended Oneonta public schools, and graduated Hartwick College earning a bachelor’s degree in political science, later he studied at Nelson Rockefeller Institute at SUNY Albany, and in 1999 Hartwick College honored Seward with an honorary doctor of laws degree. He is a former Milford town justice and a former chairman of the Otsego County Republican Committee. He was a delegate to the 1976, 1980 and 1988 Republican National Conventions, and an alternate delegate in 1996.

As a senator, Seward was appointed in 1986 as the chairman of the State Energy and Telecommunications Committee, in 1999 he became the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Insurance, and in 2007 he was asked by Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to assume a key post in the senate leadership team as majority whip. Seward also served as the chairman of the Senate Task Force on State and Local Emergency Preparedness following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.

When Greene County became a part of Seward’s district in 2002 he immediately began working with county and local leaders, and since then he’s worked with libraries, school districts, fire departments, and governments, bringing state support and much needed funding to the area.

The 51st Senate District is sprawling, and though there isn’t a lot of interaction between Seward’s constituents, he said their concerns are similar.

“The themes are common — property tax relief, energy costs, a need for jobs and concerns about the economy,” said Seward.

In a pre-election interview Seward said he plans on cutting the state budget to bring it in line with revenues, likened high property taxes to a tsunami that has hit New York state, and said that New York can be a leader in alternative fuels. He plans to address these issues and more now that he’s been re-elected.

Across the state and across the nations Democratic candidates received overwhelming support at the polls Tuesday, and Seward noted that this was a tough race to run as a republican.

“This just proves that voters took the time to look at each race,” said Seward, “and we’re thankful.”

To reach reporter Billie Dunn, please call 518-943-2100 ext. 3323 or e-mail bdunn@thedailymail.net.

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