2024 CANDIDATES

nEW YORK STATE SENATE DISTRICT 51

Michele Frazier

Michele is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at SUNY Delhi, former Oneonta city council member, and current real estate agent in Oneonta. She grew up in Delaware County, part of a farm family. As chief financial officer of her family’s geranium agri-business, she understands the precarity of crop production and balancing labor needs with costs. Part of her role was managing the multimillion-dollar budget, while spearheading initiatives to improve operational efficiency and profitability. Her deep commitment to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion appears throughout her educational path, daily life and volunteer activities. She has first-hand experience with housing issues, the need for deeply supportive infrastructure and maximizing our rural environment both for new growth and development as well as the working class and farm economy. As a parent of three children, she is committed to an educational system with access to services for all families and municipal government that responds to real community needs. Michelle is ready to work tirelessly on issues from economic inequities and criminal justice reform to strong community structures that address current and future issues. We can expect her to introduce thoughtful, innovative legislation on our behalf, unlike the current occupant of the seat.
More information at: michelefrazierfor51.com

U.S.  CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 21

Paula Collins

The New York Working Families Party has endorsed Paula Collins for US Congressional District 21. Paula is a practicing cannabis tax lawyer. She strongly supports equal rights and reproductive rights . According to Ballotpedia she was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Collins' career experience includes working as an attorney, classical pianist, licensed special education teacher, and adjunct professor. She earned a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University, a graduate degree from the University of Houston, and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School." She believes Congress has a role to play in resolving conflicts over immigration and the humane treatment of migrants; sorting out safe parameters for AI; passing the Farm Bill and ensuring that small farms and small businesses get a fair shake at success. By using ZOOM to crisscross the expanse of the district, Paula is accessible -- find her next town hall on her website: https://www.paulacollinsforcongress.com/

nEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 102

WE HAVE THREE CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE NOMINATION:

Janet Tweed

Candidate statement
Janet Tweed is a dedicated physical therapist, wife, mom, and local elected official. Janet became more actively engaged in civic responsibilities in 2016, when she served as an election worker and election inspector. The outcome of the 2016 election inspired her to run for local office, and she was elected to the Delhi Town Board for the 2018-2021 term. In 2022, Janet was appointed to the Delhi Village Board, a position she continues to hold. Janet enjoys actively collaborating with public, private, and philanthropic agencies to enhance the quality of life for Delhi residents. She played a critical role in completing the long-planned Delhi Town Pool, she continues to organize Delhi's beloved Fair on the Square community events. Janet has established clean energy and climate-smart programs and initiatives in the village. She currently serves on municipal boards overseeing recreation, police, and shared services. Janet is hard-working, collaborative, and solutions oriented.

Hebert Joseph

Candidate statement
I am Hebert Joseph, and I was born in Port au Prince, Haiti, one of the poorest countries on the planet. I came to the US as an immigrant and
joined the US Armed Forces, one of the finest institutions in the world. I left the Army
with an Honorable discharge. I then went to RPI and graduated with a Master’s degree in Electric Power Engineering. I have worked in New York State for several years.
Currently I am a Senior Engineer for New York State Public Service where my
responsibility is to protect and support the New York State ratepayers.

I FEEL THAT I GOT MY CHANCE TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM. I feel so grateful for everything that America has given to me and thus feel that it is important for me to do more for people, especially those who don’t have that privilege. That’s one MAJOR
factor. Politically, I have been involved in politics for at least the last ten years. Currently I am the Chair of the Rensselaerville Democratic Committee, the Chair of the Ethics Committee for Albany County, a Member of the Executive Committee, a Member of the Law Committee in Albany County and lastly, I am on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club in the Capital District.

I am running for the New York State Assembly because we need leaders who
understand that governance - which truly reflects the voices, needs and concerns of
their constituents - starts with listening.

Mary T. Finneran

Candidate statement
Upstate NY has always been Mary Finneran’s home having been raised in Painted Post NY in Steuben County at the source of the Chemung River.  She has also lived in Western NY on Lake Erie, Central NY in Syracuse, the Delaware River Valley, and for over two decades in Greene County.  She currently lives in Cairo with her husband and rescued cats.

Mary was a union welder for three years prior to attending Syracuse University for Art Education, graduating summa cum laude.  She worked in Chittenango High School for two years when she was accepted into the three year MFA Ceramics program at SU.  Upon graduation she worked as an art teacher for twenty five years in Chautauqua, Sullivan, and Greene counties, being especially active in her union while teaching at Coxsackie-Athens High School for the last 15 years of her career.   

Mary has always been in love with the natural beauty and wildlife of New York State which has lead her to be an environmental organizer, lobbyist, and volunteer for several groups, including the Sierra Club.  She has also been very concerned about those people marginalized by poverty and the inequities inherent in society and has volunteered for social justice groups, as well, most recently she has been working to counter the climate crises. She hopes to be able to make a difference effecting change via legislation for many of her concerns.