Radio Catskill continued its candidate interview series ahead of the June 23 primary with Christopher W. Tague, a Republican candidate for New York State Senate District 51.
Tague currently serves in the New York State Assembly, representing Assembly District 102. He is running in the Republican primary against Terry Bernardo.
Senate District 51 is a large rural district that includes Sullivan, Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties, along with parts of Broome, Chenango and Ulster counties.
In the interview, Tague described himself as someone with deep roots in the district. He said he was born and raised in Schoharie, has lived in the Senate district his entire life, raised his children there, owned a business there and began his working life in agriculture.
“I started my own dairy farm when I was 16 years old,” Tague said.
After selling the farm, Tague said he worked in the heavy highway construction industry, starting as a laborer in a stone quarry before eventually retiring as general manager of the company. He also said his work in that industry brought him into Sullivan County before he entered politics.
Tague later served as town supervisor in Schoharie before being elected to the State Assembly, where he said he has served for five terms. He pointed to his work on agriculture and real property tax issues as experience he would bring to the State Senate.
Tague said he believes rural communities are often overlooked in Albany.
“Most of the legislation in Albany is metropolitan driven,” Tague said, arguing that the economic needs of New York City and rural upstate communities are very different.
Tague said agriculture remains a major economic driver in rural counties across the district. He criticized state regulations, environmental rules and farm labor overtime requirements, saying they have placed pressure on small family farms.
He said one of his efforts in Albany has been organizing farm tours for lawmakers from across the state, including legislators from metropolitan areas, to better understand the realities facing farmers and rural businesses.
Tague also focused on volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services, saying rural communities depend on them and that they need more support from the state.
He said he supports making EMS a required service in New York State and called recruitment and retention major challenges for volunteer fire and EMS agencies. Tague said he has backed proposals to provide tax benefits for active volunteers, including an income tax exemption for qualifying fire and EMS volunteers.
“If you want somebody that’s gonna go to Albany that has your values, that is gonna work hard for the people, that understands Albany but also knows how to get things done, then I would be honored to have your vote,” Tague said.
When asked why Republican voters should choose him over Bernardo, Tague pointed to his experience in the Assembly, his conservative record, and endorsements from the New York State Conservative Party and several Republican committees in the district.
He said voters can look at his record in the Assembly and his work in communities across the region.
“I show up,” Tague said. “When people ask me to be in their community to help with something, I’m there.”
Radio Catskill’s candidate interview series is designed to give voters a chance to hear directly from the people running for office ahead of the June 23 primary.