GUILDERLAND — Lee Carman, a Republican and Guilderland resident currently serving his third term in the 29th District of the Albany County Legislature, has been elected as the new minority leader of the legislature.

“I hope to keep our caucus and fight for the constituents to do what’s best in Albany County,” Carman told The Enterprise. “I think, in this day and age, it is important to work with the majority leader for the good of the county.”

Carman said he was looking forward to working with Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, a Democrat, and the Democratic majority, which vastly outnumbers the Republicans in the 39-member body. 

Christine Benedict, the former minority leader, stepped down from the position on Dec. 16, and Carman was elected by the minority conference. He had served as the deputy minor leader for two years under Benedict.

Carman, a graduate of Clarkson University, is the senior vice president of lending for Kinderhook Bank, and has served as the past chairman of the Guilderland Republican Party. He made a close, but unsuccessful, run for Guilderland Town Board in the fall.

 Benedict, who will continue to represent Colonie in the county legislature, said she stepped down from the leadership role, a post she has held for nine years, because she wants to focus on the problems facing her district.

“I knew Lee was very capable,” said Benedict, “and I decided to put my time and energy elsewhere.”