Two eye GOP nod for executive position
McLaughlin: Executive post a great way to help people
TROY, N.Y. » Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin said he always knew he wanted to run for Rensselaer County Executive once incumbent County Executive Kathleen Jimino decided to not seek re- election.
Well, that time has finally come around for McLaughlin, R-Troy, who has served in the 107th Assembly District for seven years. McLaugh- lin’s current 107th Assembly District covers parts of Renesselaer, Columbia and Washington counties.
Jimino, also a Republican, announced earlier this year she would retire and not seek re- election for a fifth four-year term.
“I’d always said when Kathy didn’t run that I would run for county executive, and then she sort of made that announcement quite suddenly and never really informed too many people. So, it was always in my thoughts to run when she didn’t,” McLaughlin said during a recent interview.
McLaughlin is a Republican candidate in the county executive primary
race on Sept. 12, when he will go up against a fellow Republican, Deputy County Executive Chris Meyer.
McLaughlin, 53, said he didn’t want to run this year just because Jimino wasn’t seeking re- election.
“But the reason I’m running is because it’s a great way to help people. Legislative work is great, but that’s a different way of governing than executive,” said McLaughlin. “You get a lot done as executive. Legislatively, you’re one of a group advocating for positions and voting and supporting constituents, which I love, but as an executive you have more authority to get things done, so you can really help people.”
McLaughlin was originally born in Boston, Mass., and attended Xaverian Brothers High School there. After high school, McLaughlin knew that he wanted to become an airline pilot, so he attended the Florida Institute of Technology and received his commercial and instrument airplane ratings.
He then attended Arizona State University and studied Finance. After that, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of the State of New York and his MBA from the University of Phoenix.
After earning his degrees, he began his aviation career here in Albany, landing his first flying job with Mall Airways. He also started a small lawn care business in order to make extra money to pay his student loans. His next job was with another commuter airline, Brockway Air, which became Metro Air Northeast. That airline shut down during the first Gulf War. McLaughlin then flew as a corporate pilot for Key Bank. From there, he went to the major airlines and flew the Airbus and Boeing 737 for America West and USAirways.
After 9/ 11, the airline industry was in chaos and McLaughlin was laid off along with the bottom 36 percent of the seniority list of USAirways. McLaughlin has compiled more than 12,000 hours of flight time, approximately 1½ years, with a perfect safety record.
Landing on his feet, McLaughlin then decided entered the mortgage banking industry with Citizens Bank. Within one year, he was in the Presidents Club and ranked in the top 10 percent of all loan officers.
During the sit down interview this past week, McLaughlin mentioned several different issues that he sees in the county. He said that his goal will be to improve the county if he is elected to the executive position this fall.
“For one, we’re going to streamline government because I think there’s a considerable amount of ‘ fat’ in this county government,” explained McLaughlin. “My opponent [ Meyer] has apparently taken to lying and is telling county employees that I would fire a third of them; not only is that cruel to them, but it’s a complete lie. I will shrink the government, but I would do it through attrition where possible, so if people retire or leave their jobs, I may or may not replace that position unless I absolutely have to. I can guarantee you that there’s a lot of fat in Rensselaer County government after 16 years of the same administration and I think people are ready for change and new leadership.”
McLaughlin said another primary focus for his campaign is for more economic development throughout the county.
“One of the biggest things that I’m going to focus on is economic de- velopment and growth,” said McLaughlin. “I’ve been ranked the number one pro-business legislator in the Legislature.”
Another issue McLaughlin mentioned is the nation-wide heroin epidemic that has str uck communit i es in the county, including in towns like Averill Park, although the current administration under Jimino has created several drug task- force and community coalition groups to try to help battle it.
“We’re going to fight the heroin epidemic hard in Rensselaer County. I will have sheriff’s [deputies] out on Route 22 everyday because it’s really a heroin highway out there,” said McLaughlin. “We’re going to do everything we can to protect our people from this heroin epidemic.”
McLaughlin believes his vocal leadership in the legislature will only help him succeed as the county executive.
“I will make sure that we’re not only protecting neighborhoods, but also people’s constitutional freedoms as well. I’ve stood up over and over again to protect them and I will continue to as the next county executive,” said McLaughlin.
Meyer and McLaughlin will face off in the primary race on Sept. 12.
Other people running for the county executive position include Democratic candidate Andrea Smyth, and Green Party candidate Wayne Foy.