Primary race for Assembly District 106 heats up in final weeks

Six-term Assemblymember Didi Barrett is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Sam Hodge, who argues the district needs stronger action on affordability and utility costs as voters head toward the June 23 election.

Barrett, a 75-year-old Columbia County resident who has represented the 106th Assembly District since 2012, is seeking a seventh term on a record she says includes delivering state funding to local communities and advancing legislation aimed at increasing oversight of utility companies and protecting ratepayers.

Hodge, a 39-year-old attorney and former chairman of the Columbia County Democratic Committee, launched his campaign in December, contending that Albany has failed to adequately address rising costs facing residents. The Claverack resident describes himself as a progressive and has centered his campaign on affordability issues, particularly utility rates, housing costs and access to childcare.

The district covers much of southern Columbia County and northern Dutchess County, including the towns of North East and Pine Plains.

Barrett said she is seeking reelection to continue the work she’s been doing over the past 14 years. She called attention to millions in state funding and grants that she helped deliver to organizations, municipalities and groups across her district, including funding for the NorthEast-Millerton Library, the North East Community Center, infrastructure and recreation upgrades across Millerton and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.

She currently serves as chair of the assembly’s energy committee, a post that she has held since 2023.

Hodge presented his platform as a contrast to Barrett’s, saying that while securing grant funding for municipalities and nonprofit organizations is important, it does not solve the affordability crisis.

He aims to tackle affordability through greater regulation of utility companies and providing access to early childcare such as the Gov. Kathy Hochul-backed plan to eventually implement universal Pre-K statewide.

Both candidates agree affordability is a defining issue, but Hodge contends Barrett hasn’t acted to address it adequately. He said Barrett has been ineffective as chair of the energy committee.

“I looked into her record and I was thoroughly disappointed by it,” Hodge said. “That’s why I decided to jump in this race.”

Hodge called attention to rising utility rates in the region, saying the energy committee should be working to pass legislation limiting rate increases.

“Her responsibility is to make sure we can afford those bills,” Hodge said.

Barrett defended her record, calling attention to legislation that she said improves transparency and accountability at the Public Service Commission, a New York State regulatory board that oversees utility rate hikes.

Barrett championed the “Rate Transparency Act,” which passed in the assembly on May 14 and delivered to the New York State Senate. The bill had not been voted out of the Energy and Telecommunications Senate committee by the end of the 2026 legislative session.

The “Rate Transparency Act” would require utility companies to delineate some charges on customers’ bills under separate categories including delivery and supply of electricity and gas.

Barrett called attention to three other bills that she introduced in this legislative session that have passed the assembly and moved on to the senate.

Those bills include the “ASAP act,” which would set a new target for statewide solar energy production; a bill that would direct the Public Service Commission to enforce performance standards against utility companies; and a bill that requires the Public Service Commission to consider affordability in rate increase determinations.

“We passed a number of bills that are really refocusing the work that the Public Service Commission does,” Barrett said. “We’ve really looked at ways to protect consumers and ratepayers.”

Hodge said those efforts are too little and too late for the region. He pointed to the recent approval of a rate hike for utility company National Grid, which just entered the second-year of an approved three-year rate increase schedule.

Hodge argues that Barrett’s campaign contributions from energy industry political action committees raise questions about her approach to utility regulation.

Barrett has received a little over $160,000 in total contributions since the start of 2025, according to data from the New York State Board of Elections. Roughly $23,750, or about 14.6%, of the total contributions have come from energy industry political action committees.

“My votes have never been for sale, and during my time in office, I have sponsored, voted for and passed many bills to protect ratepayers and lower energy costs,” Barrett said.

She cited legislation she introduced as part of this year’s New York State budget that she said would require utility companies to return excess revenue to customers.

“Up until now, utility companies were allowed to keep profits earned above their approved ‘return on equity’ – but with my advocacy, that money will go back to ratepayers to give some relief from rising electricity costs. The utility companies have been fighting this bill since I first introduced it.”

Hodge rejected that defense.

The winner of the June 23 Democratic primary is expected to be heavily favored in the general election.

Also see Incumbent assemblymember rejects call for debate