All six Democratic candidates running in the race to represent the state Assembly 109th District will participate in a debate on Spectrum News 1.
Capital Tonight's Susan Arbetter will moderate the live one-hour debate, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, June 14.
The 109th District represents the city of Albany and some of its western suburbs like Guilderland and New Scotland. The race is drawing a lot of attention as current Assemblymember Pat Fahy is running for the state Senate seat being vacated by long-time Sen. Neil Breslin, who is retiring. Fahy has held the Assembly seat since 2013.
The six Democratic candidates are no strangers to Albany politics.
Ginnie Farrell is the Albany Common Council majority leader and has been on the council since 2017, representing the 13th Ward. She currently works as committee director for the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, and previously worked for Fahy.
Owusu Anane represents the 10th Ward on the Albany Common Council. He's the son of immigrants from Ghana and got involved in politics while studying at UAlbany. During his two terms on the Common Council, Anane has been outspoken on police reform and affordability within the city. He's a teacher at Columbia High School in East Greenbush.
Gabriella Romero currently represents Albany's 6th Ward on the Common Council. She's a public defender and graduate of Albany Law School. Romero has been an advocate for tenant rights, criminal justice reform and more. Romero has secured the Working Families Party line in the general election.
Jack Flynn is the former chair of the Albany County Democratic Committe and currently represents Albany's 8th Ward on the Common Council. Flynn previously worked with the state Bill Drafting Commission and has been active with political campaigns in the Capital Region.
Dustin Reidy is a member of the Albany County Legislature, representing Guilderland. Reidy serves as deputy majority leader in the legislature. He's been the campaign manager for Rep. Paul Tonko, and has been gaining endorsements from labor unions.
Andrew Joyce is the former chair of the Albany County Legislature and represents parts of Albany, Slingerlands and North Bethlehem. Joyce is a veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He works as a critical infrastructure analyst with the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Alicia Purdy, who ran for mayor in Albany in 2021, has the Republican and Conservative Party lines for the general election.
The primary election is June 25. Early voting starts Saturday.