TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE- A Democratic challenger has already launched her campaign opposing long-time Assembly Member Didi Barrett’s reelection, only six-months into her term and only days after new electoral districts were released for the State Assembly. Community Activist and member of the Colombia County Board of Supervisors Claire Cousin declared her intentions while attending a protest outside the incumbent’s office this past week.
Cousins is starting early, with the election over a year away, but her intention is to offer a progressive alternative to Barrett who has largely gone unchallenged within her own party since her first election in 2012.
“I think people are tired of the run-of-the-mill politicians. I think they want someone who is still having many of the issues they want advocated,” said Cousins. “I am not far removed from the issues that I speak on.”
The challenger is the Director of the Free School in Hudson and a program manager for the Hudson-Catskill Housing Coalition and has been active supporting Democratic candidates for office in the Hudson Valley.
Barrett serves as the Chair of the Powerful Assembly Energy Committee, and goes into the campaign with $77,792.86 in her campaign coffers as of her January filing with the State Board of Elections. She was reelected in 2022 defeating her Republican opponent Brandon Gaylord by around 5,000 votes out of 55,000 cast.
Despite what strengths Barrett brings to the table, Democratic primaries in the Hudson Valley have not always been easy affairs for long time incumbents. Just last year, progressive Sarahana Shrestha defeated Assemblyman Kevin Cahill by running a powerful grassroots campaign fueled by environmental activists from “For the Many” a local activist group. Notably, several members of the same organization were present for Cousins’ announcement.
The Primary election for the 106th Assembly District takes place in June of 2024.
