New state rep officially takes Assembly seat
ALBANY, N.Y. >> Earlier this week, newly elected 107th District Assemblyman Jake Ashby was introduced on the assembly floor for the first time after winning a special election last month.
Ashby, R- Castleton, won the special election against Democrat Cindy Doran to fill the seat vacated by former Republican Assemblyman and current Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
The newly elected assemblyman said that he is excited to officially start getting to work for his constituents of the 107th Assem- bly district, which covers parts of Rensselaer, Washington and Columbia counties.
“It is a great honor to be able to serve the people of 107th Assembly District, and I am focused on restoring values for Upstate New Yorkers and building on the great progress that my colleagues in the state Assembly have built. I look forward getting to work,” Ashby said in a recent news release.
Ashby, 37, is a former Army captain from Castleton who served two tours of combat duty, and today works as an occupational therapist and college instructor. Ashby earned his MBA-H from Union Graduate College in Schenectady. He is a local entrepre-
neur, starting his own occupational therapy practice in 2014. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Creighton University.
He is prior Castleton VFW Post Commander.
In January, Ashby was elected to the County Legislature in District 4, which includes the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau.
McLaughlin, who helped to mentor Ashby during his special election campaign, said that he believes Ashby is the right person to fill his vacant assembly seat.
“Jake Ashby served our nation bravely during two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has made a difference as a college instructor, occupational therapist and county legislator. I know Jake will be a hard-working and responsive member of the State Assembly, who will stand up for our residents and work to revitalize upstate,” McLaughlin said in a news release.
Ashby said he will focus on legislation to improve higher education, protect our veterans, lower taxes and bringing an influx of people into New York State. He will serve as the ranking member of the Committee on Tourism. Ashby will also serve on the Committees of Aging, Economic Development and Education.
“Our focus needs to be on providing the best possible learning environment for our college students; eliminating corruption in state economic development programs; and creating career paths and well-paying jobs for New Yorkers. I want to hear the concerns and voices of my constituents so that I can play a role in making NewYork the best it can possibly be,” Ashby concluded.
Ashby will need to run again for the assembly seat again in the general election in November.