There is a battle for Fahy's vacant chairmanship in the 109th Assembly

Purdy and Romero highlight contrasting visions for State Assembly District 109

ALBANIA– As Election Day approaches, candidates Alicia Purdy, the Republican candidate, and Gabriella Romero, the Democratic candidate, have laid out their priorities for New York State Assembly District 109.

Cost of living

Alicia Purdy, running on the Republican line, believes in reducing wasteful spending and reprioritizing the state budget. “New York is overtaxed because of misprioritized spending,” Purdy said. It advocates for cutting costs by reviewing the return on investment of government-funded projects and cutting bureaucracy that hinders business. Purdy also demanded that Albany receive the full amount owed for housing state buildings to ease the burden on local taxpayers.

Gabriella Romero, the Democratic candidate and Albany Common Council member, is focused on tax fairness to protect homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes. “We need to increase the stock of affordable housing, expand child care and reform our tax system to make it fairer,” Romero said, positioning herself as an advocate for systemic reforms to address the rising cost of living.

Affordable housing

Both candidates agree that affordable housing is a critical issue, but offer different solutions. Purdy emphasized the need for state lawmakers to work with communities and private sector innovation. She is cautious about government overreach, declaring that “big government is not the solution” and warning that over-regulation of landlords will drive them out of the state.

In contrast, Romero supports rent control and for-cause eviction protections. She pointed to legislation like the Housing Access Voucher Program as a tool to address the housing shortage in the 109th District. “I plan to advocate for adequate funding for the Housing Access Voucher program in the 2026 budget,” Romero said. She also supports allowing renters to buy their homes as part of a broader strategy to increase housing security.

Public Safety

Public safety and criminal justice reform remain at the forefront of the race. Purdy criticized New York's bail reform law, saying it contributed to “an endless cycle of chaos and lawlessness.” She called for a complete overhaul of the reform, arguing that it limits judicial discretion and endangers public safety.

Romero, who works as a public defender, takes a different approach. She believes that recent reforms have brought greater justice to the justice system and ensured that the poor are not disproportionately punished. “There is not one justice system for the rich and another for the poor,” Romero said. However, it remains open to adjustments as needed, particularly to support the Raise the Age system.

Business

Economic development is a central issue for both candidates. Purdy advocates for reducing regulations and encouraging private sector growth, arguing that the government should incentivize businesses to stay in New York. She praised NYSERDA's efforts to support clean energy jobs, but stressed the importance of meeting companies halfway through regulations to promote job creation.

Romero emphasized the importance of green energy jobs to the county's economic future, pointing to the Timbuctoo Summer Pipeline and Careers Program as an example of how the state can promote green careers. “With sufficient funding, this program will continue to educate and incentivize students to pursue careers in green energy,” Romero said.

Healthcare

Both candidates recognize the importance of health care but propose different solutions. Purdy called for a focus on mental health services, particularly in schools, arguing that accountability is key to addressing the opioid crisis. She stressed that existing laws to combat drug problems must be enforced.

Romero supports a universal health care system through the New York Health Act, which she says would ensure all New Yorkers have access to quality health care. She also called for increased funding for telehealth services and community outreach programs to address the mental health crisis, particularly in underserved areas.

As voters in District 109 prepare to vote, they face a choice between these two candidates, each with a unique vision for how to address the district's challenges.

Michael Hallisey is Editor-in-Chief of Spotlight Newspapers.