Mark Walczyk has been waiting for January 1, 2019 since winning the election last November.

“It didn't end on election night for me. That was just the beginning. I've been touring prisons across the district. Meeting with community stakeholders, mayors, town supervisors, elected officials, to make sure that my finger is on the pulse," he said.  

Walczyk has been preparing for his first day as assemblyman for the 116th District, but going into this position won't be easy for the former councilman. While he's going up against a state government dominated by the Democrats, Walczyk is confident he'll achieve his goals. 

“The competition of campaigns, that's when people are Republicans and Democrats. But when you get elected, that's when you shift to governing. I've got a nonpartisan record and I'm going to work with Democrats and Republicans alike. The bottom line is we need to make sure that there's strong representation here in Northern New York,” he said.

First on his agenda: working on the North Country Job economy.

“We absolutely need a friendlier business climate here in New York and especially in Northern New York to make sure that people have the opportunity for employment, that we have a growing economy and that this is a great place to work, live and raise a family for generations,” said Walczyk.