State Sen. George Amedore, (R-Rotterdam) announced today that he will not seek re-election next year.
Amedore represents the 46th Senate District, including locally the City of Kingston and the towns of Ulster, Saugerties, Woodstock, Hurley, Esopus, Marbletown and Lloyd.
“After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided not to seek re-election to the New York State Senate in 2020. I truly believe in public service and giving back to the community, and it has been a great honor to serve the residents of the 46th Senate District,” Amedore, who works as a housing developer in the greater Albany area, stated in a press release sent out Friday noontime. “As I have said in the past, I did not intend to be a career politician, and at this time, this is the right decision for my family and me.”
Last year, Amedore had fended off a challenge from Pat Strong of Kingston to win his third term as senator. For next year’s election, two Democratic hopefuls have already emerged – Jeff Collins, a Woodstock educator who founded the Hudson Valley Sudbury School, and Michelle Hinchey of Saugerties, who works in communications representing tech and media companies and is the daughter of the late assemblyman and congressman Maurice Hinchey.
“While Senator Amedore and I have differences on the issues, I thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Michelle Hinchey said in a statement Friday afternoon. “I’m excited to continue meeting with families across the 46th to find ways that we can improve the lives of those in our community.”
Collins said in a statement that Amedore’s departure is a sign of the changing times in the Empire State, and that it was “time for new leadership” in the 46th, a district long alleged to be gerrymandered to benefit Republicans.
“We are heading towards single-payer health insurance. We are heading towards equal rights for all, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation,” said Collins. “We are heading towards a renewal of upstate, through building the 21st Century Rural Economy based on investing in upstate infrastructure, expanded access to trade and technical education, and through the growth of local, renewable energy systems. It is time for new thinking and new leadership and embracing the changes that will move us all forward.”
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill had kind words for Amedore, whom he called his “friend and colleague.”
“Prior to entering the Senate, we shared leadership of the Assembly Energy Committee, with George as the ranking minority member when I served as chair,” said Cahill in a statement. “We have also represented significant communities in common in our respective districts.
“Senator Amedore has always been a gentleman and an engaged, worthy colleague as we did our best together to advance the needs of the good people of New York State,” Cahill continued. “We collaborated on legislation and cooperated on several local projects. In years past, it was George’s vote that gave his party the majority and now in the minority party, Senator Amedore has risen to the highest ranks. George Amedore deserves our gratitude and best wishes as he pursues more time with his family and community.”
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