Democrat launches primary challenge in 103rd District
Gabriella ‘Gabi’ Madden seeks Assembly seat occupied by incumbent Sarahana Shrestha
A Democratic former aide to two Mid-Hudson Valley state political leaders officially launched her campaign for the 103rd Assembly District on Thursday night, launched a website with a platform, and will open a campaign headquarters later this month.
Gabriella “Gabi” Madden kicked off her campaign at her family’s Savona’s Trattoria & Bar in Downtown Kingston, setting up a Democratic primary race for the seat now occupied by Sarahana Shrestha, D-Esopus, who has already announced she is running again.
At Thursday’s event, Madden told supporters is ready to serve as a lawmaker.
Madden said that she would be a leader who will “talk less and listen more” adding that she believes that “good government is not achieved by making demands but rather by creating understanding.”
Madden said she can be a pillar of strength.
“It is incumbent upon our elected leaders to be among them, to be a steady light that guides us through a sea of change that often pulls people in many directions.”
“I believe I am that pillar,” Madden added.
Kingston Mayor Steve Noble threw his support behind Madden.
“I think Gabi is going to bring those results,” said Mayor Steve Noble, a Democrat who endorsed her candidacy at Tuesday night’s launch.
Madden, 28, who lives in Bloomington and grew up in Kingston, is a former aide to former Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, also of Kingston, and current Senator James Skoufis, D-Cornwall, who was present at the event.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Madden campaign will open its headquarters at 32 Broadway, in Kingston.
Cahill lost a Democratic primary to Shrestha in June 2022. Shrestha then won the 103rd Assembly District seat that November in a race against Republican Patrick Sheehan.
Madden has also launched a website, gabimadden.com, with the slogan “Results not Rhetoric,” that outlines, among other things, her campaign platform.
“Democrat Gabi Madden is a champion for our community,” her website said. “She’s an experienced servant leader who’s had enough of empty rhetoric over delivering real results.”
“Gabi’s resolved thousands of constituent cases including supporting our families in navigating State bureaucracy during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the website said. “As a senior staffer in the State Legislature, Gabi helped deliver millions of dollars in State funding to our local communities and non-profits.
The website sets a priority agenda which includes:
• “Stable and Safe Housing by supporting affordable housing, tenant protections, responsible development, and delivering real property tax relief.”
• “Being Climate and Community-Centered so the Hudson Valley can be an economic and environmental leader in the transition to renewables from fossil fuels.”
• “Protecting Healthcare by maintaining and strengthening the services in our community including mental health infrastructure and supporting our seniors.”
• “Elevation through Education by investing in childcare, Pre-K, and workforce readiness programs to secure a brighter future for the Hudson Valley.”
• “Advancing Affordability to help Hudson Valley families not just survive but thrive.”
Madden is a lifelong resident of Ulster County.
After graduating from Kingston High School, Madden went on to attend SUNY Ulster and then earned a bachelor’s degree from Marymount Manhattan College.
Madden, who worked in her family’s restaurant business, began her public service work as a Constituent Representative and Communications Liaison to Cahill. She worked in that office from July 2018 to September 2021. She held several leadership roles including Clerk of the Assembly Insurance Committee and eventually rose to the role of Chief of Staff.
Following the Cahill stint, Madden became deputy chief of staff for Skoufis. She served in the state senator’s office from September 2021 until December.
Madden is the daughter of Bill Madden, who died in 2006, and Cecilia Savona Madden Loughran.
“Losing her father unexpectedly when Gabi was only ten years old was a transformational moment in her life,” the website said.
Bill Madden was a photographer for the Freeman. He worked at the newspaper for 21 years.
The state primaries are set for June 25. Early primary voting will run from June 15 to 23.
The last day for a voter to change their political party to vote in the primary is Wednesday, Feb. 14. The Board of Elections needs to receive the change of enrollment by that date. Petitioning for these offices will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 27 and they are due to be filed from April 1-4.