SCHOHARIE, NY – Assemblyman Chris Tague on Wednesday, November 26 officially announced his campaign for New York State Senate in the 51st District.“I didn’t go to Albany to make friends. I went to fight for the people I represent,” said Tague.

The New York State Senate seat for the 51st District is currently held by Senator Peter Oberacker, who has announced a bid to challenge Josh Riley for the NY-19 seat in the federal House of Representatives. Tague joins the race with Oberacker’s backing. 

“From day one, I’ve stood up to the radical agenda that’s driving up our costs, tying the hands of law enforcement, and steamrolling Upstate families, farmers, and small businesses. Now I’m running for State Senate to make sure our district has a strong voice at the table and a fighter in our corner every single day.”

Tague started his own dairy farm at 16 years-old and after a successful run sold the farm and went to work in the heavy highway and construction materials industry. There he worked his way up from laborer to foreman, superintendent, and eventually general manager. As a farmer, blue-collar worker, and now Assemblyman, he’s been a leading voice for family farms, Main Street small businesses, and the people who work with their hands for a living, according to Tague’s office. Most recently he was ranked the #1 most effective Republican legislator in the State by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

“People in our district are working harder than ever and getting less in return while Albany politicians play games with their paychecks, their energy bills, and their kids’ education. I’ll never stop fighting to make New York affordable, safe, and accountable to the people who actually live here,” Tague continued. 

Tague said his campaign will focus on three core priorities:

Affordability: Cutting taxes, fees and mandates that drive up the cost of living and doing business.
Public Safety: Backing law enforcement, fixing Albany’s failed criminal justice policies, and putting victims ahead of criminals.
Protecting Upstate: Defending family farms, small businesses and local communities from one-size-fits-all mandates and out-of-touch bureaucrats.

“I’ve never forgotten where I came from or who I work for,” Tague added. “In the State Senate, I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done – show up, listen, and fight like hell for the people of this district. I’ll continue to be our fighter and our voice in Albany.”

Tague enters the race with strong early backing from Legislative Colleagues, Republican County Chairs, Conservative County Chairs, County Government Leaders, and Sheriffs across the 51st District.

NYS SENATE LEGISLATORS
      Rob Ortt, NYS Senate Minority Leader
      Senator Peter Oberacker, Current 51st Senate District
      George Borello, 57th District & Senate Republican Campaign Committee, Chairman
      Joe Griffo, 47th District
      Rob Rolison, 39th District 
      Mark Walczyk, 49th District

NYS ASSEMBLY LEGISLATORS
      Will Barclay, NYS Assembly Minority Leader
      Joe Angelino, 121st District (representing the 51st Senate District)
      Brian Miller, 122nd District (representing the 51st Senate District)
      Brian Maher, 101st District (representing the 51st Senate District)
      SteveHawley, 139th District      
      Karl Brabenec, 98th District
      Jeff Gallahan, 131st District
      Christopher Friend, 124th District      
      AJ Beephan, 105th District
      Matt Simpson, 114th District

REPUBLICAN COUNTY CHAIRS
      Benji Federman, Broome County
      Bill Acee, Chenango County
      Josh Morgan, Delaware County
      Ed Frazier, Otsego County
      Mike West, Schoharie County Vice Chairman
      Ken Ronk, Ulster County
      Brent Bogardus, Greene County & NYGOP Regional Vice Chairman

CONSERVATIVE COUNTY CHAIRS
      Capt. James Small, Delaware County
      Meg Kennedy, Otsego County
      Bill Hanson, Schoharie County Chairman
      Ed Magilton, Sullivan County Chairman
      Jack Hayes, Ulster County

COUNTY SHERRIFS
        Fred Akshar, Broome County
      Ernest Cutting, Chenango County
      Craig DuMond, Delaware County
      Peter Kusminsky, Greene County
      Rich Devlin, Otsego County
      Ron Stevens, Schoharie County
      Albro Fancher, Shoharie County, Sheriff-Elect

COUNTY GOVERNMENT LEADERS
      Dan Reynolds, Broome County Legislature, Chairman
        Brian Wessels, Chenango County Clerk
      Jeffrey Blanchard, Chenango County Board of Supervisors, Chairman
      Haley Gransbury, Delaware County Clerk
      Joe Cetta, Delaware County Board of Supervisors, Town of Walton
      Allen Ruffles, Otsego County Treasurer
      Jennifer Basile, Otsego County Clerk
      Ed Frazier, Otsego County Board of Legislators, Chairman
      Michelle Price, Schoharie County Treasurer
      Larry Caza, Schoharie County Clerk
      Indy Jaycox, Retired Schoharie County Clerk
      Bill Federice, Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, Chairman

Tague was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2018 where is currently the ranking member of the Agriculture Committee. He previously served as Schoharie Town Supervisor.