Jim Tedisco

James Nicholas Tedisco[5] (born July 15, 1950) is an American politician. Since 2023, he has been the New York State Senator for New York's 44th State Senate district.

Jim Tedisco
Member of the New York State Senate
Assumed office
worked at x27 nysta.
Preceded byHugh Farley
Constituency49th district (2017–2022)
44th district (2023–present)
Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly
In office
November 29, 2005 – April 3, 2009[1]
GovernorGeorge Pataki
Eliot Spitzer
David Paterson
Preceded byCharles H. Nesbitt
Succeeded byBrian Kolb
Member of the New York State Assembly
from Schenectady County
In office
January 1, 1983 – January 4, 2017
Preceded byClark C. Wemple
Succeeded byMary Beth Walsh
Constituency
  • 107th district (1983-1993)
  • 103rd district (1993-2003)
  • 110th district (2003-2013)
  • 112th district (2013-2017)
Personal details
Born
James Nicholas Tedisco

(1950-07-15) July 15, 1950[2]
Schenectady, New York, United States
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Song[3]
Residence(s)Glenville, New York (primary)
Saratoga Springs, New York[4]
Alma materUnion College
WebsiteSenate Website

A Republican, Tedisco served in the New York State Assembly from 1983 to 2017. He was the Assembly Minority Leader from November 2005 until his resignation from that post in April 2009. In 2009, Tedisco was the Republican nominee in a special election for the 20th US Congressional District to fill the seat vacated by Kirsten Gillibrand following Gillibrand's appointment to the United States Senate; he was defeated by Democrat Scott Murphy.

Early life, education, early career, and family life

Jim Tedisco graduated from Bishop Gibbons High School in 1968,[6] and received his B.A. in Psychology from Union College.[7] While at Union, he played varsity basketball for three years where he set 15 scoring and assist records, and left as Union's all-time leading scorer with 1,632 points. Tedisco earned multiple athletic awards during his college career, and was inducted into the Union Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.[8] In 1997, he was given the Silver Anniversary Award from the NCAA.[9]

Tedisco got a graduate degree in Special Education from the College of Saint Rose.[7] From 1973 to 1982, Tedisco worked in education; he served as a guidance counselor, basketball coach, and athletic director at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, and later worked as a special education teacher, resource room instructor and varsity basketball coach at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, New York.[10]

Tedisco entered public service in 1977 when, at the age of 27, he was elected to the Schenectady City Council.[11]

Tedisco is a resident of Glenville, New York, where he lives with his wife and stepson.[11]

New York State Assembly

Elections

In 1982, Assemblyman Clark Wemple retired from the State Assembly, leaving an opening in the district. Tedisco won a four-way race in Republican primary, and then won the general election.[5]

Due to redistricting, Tedisco represented the 107th District from 1983 to 1993, the 103rd District from 1993 to 2003,[12] the 110th District from 2003 to 2012, and most recently represented the 112th District since from 2012 to 2017. The 112th District consists of portions of Schenectady County and Saratoga County, including the towns of Greenfield, Providence, Milton, Galway, Ballston, Charlton, Clifton Park, Halfmoon, and Glenville.[13]

Tedisco ran uncontested in the 2008 general election[14] and won the 2010 general election with 64 percent of the vote.[15][16]

Tenure

Tedisco introduced "Charlotte's Law" to permanently terminate driver's license privileges for drunk and dangerous drivers. While Tedisco's bill was not passed, the DMV enacted regulations similar to what was proposed in the bill.

In 1999, Tedisco worked to pass Buster's Law, which protected pets by making animal cruelty a felony, and in 2011 advocated for New York State Animal Advocacy Day.[17]

In 2014, Tedisco sponsored a successful constitutional amendment, Proposition 2, that would replace bill printouts with digital copies of bills.[18]

Assembly Minority Leader

Tedisco served as Assembly Minority Leader from November 2005 to April 2009.[19]

According to The New York Times, Tedisco "clashed loudly and publicly" with Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer.[20] In January 2007, Spitzer reportedly told Tedisco, "'I am a fucking steamroller and I’ll roll over you or anybody else'".[21]

Tedisco was noted for his opposition to Spitzer's September 2007 executive order directing that state offices allow undocumented immigrants to be issued driver's licenses.[22][23][24][25] Tedisco threatened a lawsuit if the plan was implemented.[26] On November 14, 2007, Spitzer announced he would withdraw the driver license plan, acknowledging that it would never be implemented.[27][28]

Tedisco later accused Spitzer of cutting $300,000 of state funding for health care and education grants in the Schenectady area as retaliation for Tedisco's opposition to the Spitzer driver license plan.[29] Tedisco accused the Governor of "dirty tricks" and "bullying".[30]

Following reports of Spitzer's involvement in a prostitution scandal, Tedisco called for his resignation and announced that he would initiate impeachment proceedings in the State Assembly if Spitzer did not resign.[31] Spitzer resigned his post effective March 17, 2008.[32]

Tedisco stepped down as Minority Leader in April 2009 amid reports that other Republican Members of the Assembly were concerned about his congressional campaign distracting him from his leadership role.[33]

2009 special congressional election
Main article: New York's 20th congressional district special election, 2009

On January 23, 2009, after Governor David Paterson announced that he had selected Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton, Tedisco stated his intention to run for Congress to replace Gillibrand in New York's 20th Congressional District.[34] Though not a resident of the district,[35][36] Tedisco became its Republican nominee on January 27, 2009, and ran against Democrat Scott Murphy.[37] The initial count from the election had Murphy leading by 59 votes, out of over 155,000 cast on March 31, 2009. This tally reportedly did not include any of the 10,000 requested absentee ballots, which needed only to have been postmarked by that date and could have been returned as late as April 7 (domestically) or April 13 (internationally).[38] Eventually, about 7,000 absentee ballots were received; the vote count as of April 24 had Murphy ahead by 399 votes.[39] On April 24, Tedisco conceded the election to Murphy.[40]

New York State Senate

In 2016, Senator Hugh Farley announced that he would not seek re-election to the Senate. Farley's retirement left an opening in the 49th State Senate District. After Tedisco handily won the Republican primary, he went on to defeat General Election opponent Chad Putman.[41] Tedisco won the election with 69% of the vote on November 8, 2016.[42]

Tedisco won reelection in 2018 and 2020.[43]

Positions

Abortion

Tedisco opposes abortion and only supports it in cases of rape, incest, or if a woman's life (not health) is in danger.[44] In 2018, the Albany Times Union endorsed Tedisco for re-election to the State Senate. The Times Union stated that Tedisco had informed the paper's editorial board that he would support a proposed abortion rights bill known as the Reproductive Health Act. After Tedisco publicly contradicted this assertion and affirmed his opposition to the bill, the Times Union rescinded its endorsement.[44] Tedisco voted against the Reproductive Health Act in January 2019.[45]

Second Amendment

Tedisco holds a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment. He voted against the NY SAFE Act, a gun control measure that became law in 2013.[46] He voted against a bill that prohibits individuals convicted of domestic abuse from purchasing guns.[47] He also believes that a safety or childproof mechanism does not need to be incorporated into the design of firearms.[48]

Labor and employment

Tedisco voted against paid family leave (February 2, 2016),[49] equal pay regardless of gender (January 27, 2014),[50] freelance wage protection (June 20, 2011),[51] and the Wage Theft Prevention Act (July 1, 2010).[52] He also repeatedly voted against an increase in the minimum wage (May 4, 2015; March 5, 2013).[53]

LGBTQ

Tedisco repeatedly voted against bills to legalize same-sex marriage.[54] He also voted against bills to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity.[55] On June 16, 2014, Tedisco voted against a bill that would have prohibited sexual orientation conversion therapy on minors.[56]

Marijuana

Tedisco opposes legalizing recreational marijuana.[57]

References
  1. "Assembly Republicans pick Canandaigua's Kolb to replace Tedisco". The Business Review. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  2. "Asm. James Tedisco (R-NY 112th District)". The Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, Inc. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  3. David M. Halbfinger (March 30, 2009). "On Election Day, He'll Be Everywhere but the Voting Booth". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  4. Mulholland, Mark (March 18, 2005). "Tedisco can't vote for himself in Congressional race". WNYT. Archived from the original on April 19, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  5. "Assemblyman James Tedisco: 49th Senate District". New York Senate. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  6. Lucian McCarty (November 2, 2010). "Tedisco returned to Assembly". The Saratogian.
  7. Glenn Griffith (May 12, 2016). "Assemblyman Jim Tedisco announces bid for 49th Senate district seat". The Saratogian.
  8. "Hall of Fame, Jim Tedisco Class of 1972". Union College Athletics. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  9. "Silver Anniversary Awards". National Collegiate Athletic Association. January 13, 1997. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  10. "Election 2010 Profile: Jim Tedesco". The Record. Troy, N.Y. September 21, 2010.
  11. Kyle Hughes (August 28, 2016). "Klueg-Tedisco primary in 49th Senate District turning into a slugfest over 'career' politicians, Senate GOP not standing up to Cuomo". Daily Freeman. Kingston, N.Y. NYSNYS News.
  12. "Our Campaigns – Candidate – James N. Tedisco". ourcampaigns.com. Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  13. "NYS 49th Senate District Map". New York State Senate.
  14. "Election Results 2008: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012.
  15. "Election Results 2010: New York State Legislature". The New York Times. 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012.
  16. "Assembly Election Returns: November 2, 2010" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2013.
  17. Kristy Smorol (June 1, 2011). "First ever Animal Advocacy Day in Albany pushing to strengthen Buster's Law". CNYCentral.com.
  18. "Unknown". The Oneida Daily Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 16, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  19. "Sen. Tedisco re-elected - News, Sports, Jobs - Adirondack Daily Enterprise".
  20. Hakim, Danny; Rashbaum, William K. (March 10, 2008). "Spitzer Is Linked to Prostitution Ring". The New York Times.
  21. "NY Gov. Spitzer stands by "steamroller" boast". Reuters. January 31, 2007 – via www.reuters.com.
  22. "Department of Motor Vehicles Changes License Policy to Include More New Yorkers and Implements New Regime of Anti-Fraud Measures to Strengthen the Security of the System". press release. Office of the Governor of New York. September 21, 2007. Archived from the original on October 30, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2007.
  23. "Take A U-Turn, Eliot". New York Post. October 9, 2007.
  24. "A Very Vengeful Governor". New York Post. October 19, 2007.
  25. Josh Kraushaar (January 27, 2009). "Tedisco the GOP nominee for Gillibrand seat". Politico Scorecard blog.
  26. "License plan faces lawsuit; Hochul may join". WBEN-AM. October 24, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved November 14, 2007.
  27. Barrett, Devlin (November 14, 2007). "Spitzer Dropping His Driver's License Plan". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2007.
  28. Kramer, Marcia (November 15, 2007). "Just Call Him...Gov. Flip-Flop". Local News. WCBS-TV. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  29. Dicker, Fredric U., Young & Poor Hit Hardest, New York Post.
  30. Tedisco Accuses Spitzer of 'Dirty Tricks,' 'Bullying' Archived October 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine October 17, 2007
  31. "Republicans Set Deadline For Governor's Ousting: 'I've Asked Him To Resign'". WCBS-TV. March 11, 2008. Archived March 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  32. "Behind the scenes: The Capitol chaos when Eliot Spitzer resigned 10 years ago". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
  33. David M. Halbfinger (April 3, 2009). "Amid Signs of a Shove, Tedisco Quits as Assembly Minority Leader". The New York Times. p. A15.
  34. "Now who will replace Gillibrand?". WRGB CBS 6 Albany. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  35. "Election day in wild NY House race" by Associated Press, Boston Herald, November 3, 2009 Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  36. Bill Meyer (March 29, 2009). "NY special election seen as Obama's 1st test". Cleveland Plain Dealer.
  37. Curtis Schick (January 28, 2009). "GOP picks Tedisco to run on Republican ticket". Capital News 9. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  38. Richburg, Keith B.; Kane, Paul (April 1, 2009). "Absentee Ballots to Decide N.Y. House Race". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
  39. "Unofficial Combined Machine and Paper Results for NY 20th Congressional District" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. April 23, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  40. Irene Jay Liu; Leigh Hornbeck (April 25, 2009). "Murphy headed to Congress". Times Union. Albany, N.Y. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  41. John Cropley (November 8, 2016). "Tedisco beats Putman in 49th State Senate District". The Daily Gazette. Schenectady, N.Y.
  42. "State legislature incumbents rule the day". The Saratogian. November 9, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  43. "Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 49 Race - Nov 06, 2018". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  44. "Editorial: Mr. Tedisco, reconsidered". Times Union. November 5, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  45. Robbins, Christopher. "Cuomo Signs Historic Abortion Law, Celebrates By Turning One WTC Pink". Gothamist. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  46. "Roll Call: NY S02230 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly". LegiScan.
  47. "S 8121 - Prohibits Individuals Convicted of Domestic Abuse from Purchasing Firearms - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  48. "A 2302 - Childproof Firearms Sales - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  49. "A 3870 - Requires Employers to Provide Paid Family Leave - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  50. "A 8070 - Requires Equal Pay - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  51. "A 6698A - Freelance Wage Protection - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  52. "A10163 - Establishing the Wage Theft Prevention Act - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  53. "A 7257 - Increases Minimum Wage - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.; "A 38 - Increases Minimum Wage - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  54. "A 8590 - Same-Sex Marriage - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.; "A 7732 - Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.;"A 40003 - Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart. (For example, such votes were cast on June 19, 2007, May 12, 2009, and December 2, 2009.)
  55. "A 5710 - Prohibiting Gender Identity Discrimination - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.; "A 5039 - Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Expression - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart. (For example, such votes were cast on March 2, 2010 and April 30, 2012.)
  56. "A 6983B - Prohibits Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy on Minors - New York Key Vote". Vote Smart.
  57. January 16, Jim Tedisco on; PM, 2019 at 5:37 (January 16, 2019). "Legalizing marijuana a gateway to more carnage on our roads". Senator Jim Tedisco. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
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