Cecilia Tkaczyk

Cecilia F. Tkaczyk[1] (born December 18, 1961) is an American politician who served as a member of the New York State Senate for the 46th district.[2] She was elected to the Senate as a member of the Democratic Party and was sworn in on January 23, 2013.[3][4]

Cecilia Tkaczyk
Member of the New York State Senate
from the 46th district
In office
January 23, 2013 – January 3, 2015
Preceded byGeorge A. Amedore Jr.
Succeeded byGeorge A. Amedore Jr.
Personal details
Born (1961-12-18) December 18, 1961
Political partyWomen's Equality, previously Democratic
Residence(s)Duanesburg, New York, U.S.
Alma materRutgers University
OccupationFarmer

Tkaczyk was the Democratic nominee in a district that she claimed had been gerrymandered for her opponent, State Assemblyman George Amedore.[5] The district stretches from Amsterdam to Kingston.[6] She led Amedore on election night, but legal action by Amedore forced a judge to monitor the counting of 6,000 provisional and absentee ballots. The judge threw out 450 votes, enough to give Amedore a 37-vote lead. Amedore was certified as the winner and filed his oath of office in January. However, Tkaczyk appealed, contending that, as the ballots were primarily in Democratic-leaning areas, she could potentially win if they were all counted.[7]

Eventually, a court ordered 99 ballots in Ulster, Albany, and Greene counties opened. Tkaczyk picked up enough votes in the opened ballots to take an 18-vote lead. Amedore conceded the race on January 18. According to the Albany Times Union, Amedore was the shortest-tenured senator in the modern history of that chamber.[8]

Tkaczyk was born and raised on a dairy farm and was the only farmer serving in the State Senate. She and her husband Eric own and live on a small sheep farm in Duanesburg, New York, with their son, Peter.[9]

She served as the ranking member on the Senate Committee of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, and on the Senate Elections Committee as well. She was also a member of the following committees: Agriculture, Environmental Conservation, Education, Children and Families and Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs.[9]

Tkaczyk was defeated in the 2014 election in a rematch with Amedore, losing by over 11,000 votes.[10]

After losing the 2014 election, Tkaczyk left the Democratic Party and joined the upstart Women's Equality Party, which achieved automatic ballot access in the 2014 elections. Tkaczyk attempted to install herself as leader of the party in a legal maneuver designed to ensure the party had female leadership.[11]

References
  1. Thomas Kaplan (January 18, 2013). "Democrat Ekes Out Senate Win". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  2. "District 46: New York State Senate". New York Senate. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  3. Jordan Carleo-Evangelist (May 6, 2014). "Tkaczyk ethics bill would close loophole as part of Senate plan". Times Union. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  4. "Tkaczyk sworn in after prolonged campaign". News10. January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  5. "Round 2: Senate candidates face off in heated rematch".
  6. "2012 Map of Senate District 46" (PDF). The New York State Legislative Task Force. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  7. Capitol Confidential » Heading to court, Amedore up 111 after objections, timesunion.com; accessed April 25, 2016.
  8. Tkaczyk wins Senate race after final count, timesunion.com; accessed April 25, 2016.
  9. "New York State Senate | Cecilia Tkaczyk Biography". New York Senate. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  10. "Tkaczyk explains takeover attempt of Cuomo's women's party". Politico. August 31, 2015.
  11. Tkaczyk profile, capitalnewyork.com; accessed April 25, 2016.
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