ALBANY COUNTY — Republican Assemblyman Christopher Tague handily defeated his opponent, Democrat Nicholas S. Chase, in his bid for re-election to the rural 102nd Assembly District, which covers parts of Albany, Ulster, Otsego, and Delaware counties, and all of Schoharie and Montgomery counties.

Tague, a former farmer and business executive who took office in 2018, commanded an overwhelming majority of votes, receiving 64 percent of the total, or 37,075 votes, according to unofficial Election Night results. 

Chase, a young teacher who was making his first run for office, and campaigned on a moderate Democratic platform, received 34 percent, or 19,596 votes. 

Tague’s majority held in each county in his district except the one with the least number of voters, Ulster County, where Chase received 60 percent of the vote to Tague’s 35 percent. 

Tague’s primary focus this cycle was the economy and crime figures, along with a general desire to fight against what he calls “one-party rule” by Democrats in New York, particularly those from the densely populated downstate area.

Tague was suspected to be the favored candidate, raising nearly $70,000 to Chase’s $11,000, the majority of which Chase contributed to himself, according to campaign finance disclosures. 

In a press release the following day, Tague expressed gratitude for his re-election and vowed to “never stop fighting” for his constituents.

“We will continue to work hard to make this state more affordable by bringing down inflation, cutting costs at the fuel pump, at the grocery store, and in your energy bills,” he said. “I will work against radicals in the majority to protect our constitutional rights and to make our streets safe by locking up dangerous criminals and overturning the cashless bail policy. 

“I will also continue my work to protect the farmers in our great state,” he said. “Farmers are the lifeblood of our country and reducing the overtime threshold for farm workers is everything wrong with ag policy the democratic majority has pushed through. We will take a stand for rural education, as they are always pushed aside in favor for more populated learning centers.”

Chase could not be reached.

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