In a special election Tuesday, the GOP in New York’s Southern Tier maintained its fifty year hold on the 52nd Senate District.
Hear the story of Fred Akshar's victory over Barbara Fiala.
Broome CountyUndersheriffFred Akshar took over three-quarters of the vote and easily defeated Democrat Barbara Fiala. Akshar succeeded by labeling Fiala as an Albany insider. She had served in the Cuomo Administration as commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“You’ve chosen a new direction. New ideas. You said enough of the negative, partisan politics of the past. You said it’s time to change Albany,” saidAkshar.
Since this was a special election,Aksharmust run again in next year’s regular election. In his victory speech, the Republican promised to give voters the change they desire.
Aksharreplaces former State Senator TomLibous. The high-ranking Republican was forced from office in July when he was convicted of lying to the FBI.
“I want to make one more pledge to each of you, that as I work with your continued support to change Albany and to make the Southern Tier great again, I will never let Albany change me,” saidAkshar.Democrats console Barbara Fiala in her loss to Fred Akshar.
Down the street in Binghamton, at the Double Tree Hotel where Democrats held their party,Fialablamed her defeat on big money. She says her Republican opponent had more than five times the money she did.
“He had a machine gun and I had a sling shot,” saidFiala.
Despite the loss,Fialasays she was pleased with her campaign. She says she fought the good fight and didn’t rule out the possibility of getting in the ring again.
Copyright 2015 WSKG News