NEW YORK SENATE DISTRICT 42 — Jen Metzer took the Democratic primary by a wide margin on September 13, besting alternative-energy activist Pramilla Malick by a vote of 9,883 to 6,336. The turnout for the primary involved nearly twice as many voters than the last midterm primary in 2014. Now, with Democrats poised to have a good night both nationally and statewide on November 6, it’s entirely possible that Metzger will be voted into the office now held by retiring Sen. John Bonacic, a Republican.

Metzger, who is serving her second term on the Rosendale Town Council and who co-founded the nonprofit organization Citizens for Local Power, features some of her passions on her Facebook page.

She praised the recent first annual Zero Emissions Parade in Ulster County. She wrote, “Electric vehicle use has skyrocketed in the past year, as long-range electric vehicles have entered the market and charging infrastructure has improved. I can get anywhere in this huge four-county district and back on a single charge in my all-electric Chevy, which by the way is the best vehicle I’ve ever owned.”

She also announced a new endorsement saying, “I am proud to announce the endorsement of my candidacy by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

“I will always fight for the dignity and rights of all people, and to end all forms of discrimination. Every New Yorker deserves the same rights and protections under the law.”

Metzger said during a phone interview with The River Reporter that she is not running against President Donald Trump, as other candidates are. When she goes door to door and talks to voters she concentrates on the issues state government can address and the kinds of change that are needed.

From 2011 until April of this year, Republicans were able to control the state Senate with the help of eight Democratic senators who called themselves the “Independent Democratic Committee” (IDC). Six of those members lost their primary contests and probably won’t be returning to the Senate next year. If Democrats do take the Senate, there will be more progressive voices among them. Metzger expects that in that case lawmakers will be able to pass legislation like the New York Health Act, which would be a statewide Medicare-for-all system. Lawmakers would also likely pass the Reproductive Health Act, which would preserve women’s reproductive rights should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the Roe v. Wade decision. The legislature would also probably move to close the LLC loophole, which allows limited liability corporations to donate unlimited money to political candidates, and which has been the root of scandals in Albany.

First, of course, Metzger will have to go up against Republican Annie Rabbitt, who, as the Orange County Clerk and a former Assemblywoman, has a lot of name recognition in Orange County. During a primary debate, Metzger suggested that after the primary contest she and Malick should attend a unity rally together. She said she would still like that to happen, but she has not heard from her opponent since the election.