AMENIA — Democrat incumbent Didi Barrett (D-106) is facing a challenge in the general election for her seat in the state Assembly from Republican Stephan Karakower. The following excerpts have been edited for conciseness.
Didi Barrett
Democrat
Q: What is your professional background?
I was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election in March 2012 after a career as a writer, museum professional, and longtime leader of not-for-profit organizations.
How does that apply to the office you’re seeking?
I have brought all my life experiences — as a mother, journalist, museum profession and not for profit leader to my job for more than a decade and it has better helped me understand my constituents and their needs.
What would be your top priorities / Why are you the best person for the job?
I will continue the work we have been doing to ensure a sustainable future — environmentally and economically — for our region. Building the housing we need requires adequate water and sewer infrastructure. My district has nearly 30 municipalities — many of them rural towns and small villages — and the scale of these communities is very different from both downstate municipalities and the upstate cities which often makes it challenging to access state and federal funds for water and sewer infrastructure.
For more than a decade I have made it a priority to educate the governor’s team, legislative leadership and my colleagues about our unique challenges to ensure that New York state is providing support for communities like ours to incentivize smart growth development. Additionally, as Chair of the Assembly’s Energy Committee, I am working to ensure New York state is on pace to reach our ambitious climate goals while ensuring the costs of this transition are not overwhelmingly borne solely by consumers and ratepayers.
Stephan Krakower
Republican
What is your professional background?
I am an attorney licensed to practice law in New York state and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the past 30 years. I was also a councilman, deputy supervisor and town justice in the Town of Poughkeepsie for about 20 years cumulative.
How does that apply to the office you’re seeking?
My experience as and attorney, councilman, deputy supervisor and town justice gives me very unique qualifications to serve as a New York State Assemblyman for the 106th Assembly District. I have experience creating laws, enforcing laws and interpreting laws which gives me a very deep and meaningful understanding of the legislative process, actual impact of laws and how best to understand and navigate the process.
What would be your top priorities?
My top priorities are the economy, out of control inflation, excessively high taxation, the housing crisis and the migrant crisis that has been mismanaged in New York state and has negatively impacted our residents, seniors, children’s programs, the education system, our communities and our families safety and security.
Why are you the best person for the job?
I was born and raised in the Town of Poughkeepsie, educated in the Spackenkill Schools, graduated from the State University of New York at Albany and received a law degree and masters in Tax Law in Boston. I have spent my life as a member of our community and been involved in local community organizations, youth sports, charities and devoted my efforts to improving the quality of life of those that call the 106th Assembly district home. The people of this district are my family, friends and neighbors so I am uniquely vested in their success and well being. I didn’t move here to run or be a politician and spend my weekends away from the big city. I am from here, was educated here, created a small business here and am now raising my family here in the old family farm house. In a day where far too many people are forced to leave New York state because of the excessive high cost of living and lack of real opportunity, I choose to stay and fight on behalf of the good people of our community and intend to go to Albany and be their voice and stand up for them. So I do believe that I am the best person for the job of NYS 106th Assembly person because our community needs real representation that cares about real people that are facing real problems.
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
