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Albany Law School professor Sarah Rogerson has announced her candidacy for New York's 44th State Senate District, setting up a Democratic challenge against five-year Republican incumbent Jim Tedisco.
Rogerson, who made her announcement on Tuesday (February 4), is a tenured professor and serves as director of the Edward P. Swyer Justice Center at Albany Law School. In 2011, she founded the Immigration Law Center, where law students represent undocumented immigrants seeking permanent status in the United States.
"With 20 years of experience working in immigration law, a lived experience as a family member of a gun violence survivor and as a woman committed to reproductive freedom, I have decided to run for State Senate to bring my skills, commitment and compassion to our legislature," Rogerson said in a statement according to NEWS10.
The 44th Senate District covers Saratoga County, Niskayuna, and the city of Schenectady. Rogerson, a Niskayuna resident, previously served on the Niskayuna school board from 2020 to 2023.
Her candidacy will trigger a Democratic primary against Patrick Nelson, a patent agent and Stillwater trustee who announced his campaign last week. Nelson's platform focuses on improving health care access, limiting artificial intelligence use, and developing renewable energy infrastructure.
"The fact that we have multiple candidates with impressive resumes entering the race only speaks to just how vulnerable Jim Tedisco is this year," Nelson said on Wednesday. "People are waking up to his lack of production and radical voting record and looking for change," the Times Union reported.
Rogerson has already secured several notable endorsements, including Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy, Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich, and former Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen.
Senator Tedisco, who won his last election in 2024 by more than 25,000 votes, defended his record in a statement following Rogerson's announcement.
"I've been an effective problem solver over the years getting things done for my constituents against overwhelming odds and passing common sense bipartisan legislation and advancing policies to help enhance the quality of life for people," Tedisco said in a statement to CBS6.
Tedisco highlighted his legislative accomplishments, including Buster's Law to protect pets and people, enacting the Property Tax Cap, installing security cameras at state parks, and passing environmentally-friendly measures.
"There is plenty of time for politicking, but I'm concentrating on serving the constituents of the 44th Senate District, working on the state budget, and advocating with my conference, for the largest tax cut in New York's history to help keep people in New York State," Tedisco added.
The primary election will be held in June, with the general election following in November.