News

Three Dems vie for backing to replace Tague: common goals, different approaches; read about it in The Altamont Enterprise Regional published on June 8, 2026.

For Immediate Release, June 5, 2026

Contact: Candidate Mary Finneran at finneranforassembly@gmail.com,  518-965-2935

Mary Finneran is beyond proud to announce she has picked up more endorsements, plus one designation. She just received the Sierra Club endorsement, which is very special to her, as a lifetime Sierran and member of the executive and legislative committees. In addition, following the May 31 three candidate "meet and greet", she received an endorsement from the Berne Democratic committee. 

     Jim Kaufman, chair of that committee, said "one candidate stood taller in my opinion because of the passion she demonstrated for the topics that were discussed. She, more than the others, convinced me that she  would fight to the finish on  behalf of AD 102. It is for that reason we decided to endorse Mary Finneran for Assembly  in the upcoming primary."

This brings the total endorsements to thirteen, having received the Eleanor's Legacy endorsement earlier, (a dual endorsement). 

   In addition to the endorsements, Finneran has also been designated a "Healthcare Champion" by the campaign for New York Health, an effort to make the NY Health Act law. While not an endorsement, it recognizes Finneran's work in that regard over more than fifteen years. 

Finneran is exeedingly grateful for the endorsements and recognition.  Julie Rockefeller (purposefully unaffiliated with any political party), said, “I have met her, I like her, and there is nothing in her platform with which I disagree. If you are able to vote in NYS primaries, I hope you will take  the time to learn what Mary is all about.”

These add to Finneran's other endorsements: from the Working Families Party (which also adds a ballot line), Former NY Secretary of State and past assembly member Gail Shaffer, Third Act, NY Progressive Action Network, Cairo Democratic Committee, Albany County legislators William Reinhardt, Merton Simpson and Douglas Bullock (retired), former Mayor of Sharon Springs and past National President of Veterans for Peace, Elliott Adams, and former Cairo town supervisor, Ted Banta III

For immediate release, March 17, 2026

Contact: Candidate Mary Finneran at finneranforassembly@gmail.com,  518-965-2935

With the endorsement of Gail Shaffer, NY Secretary of State for 12 years, and former assemblywoman, Mary Finneran is proud to announce she has 10 endorsements.  

"I am thrilled that the stalwart democrat Gail Shaffer has endorsed me.  My hope was for a woman to endorse me, and I now have a wonder woman behind me!".

Shaffer adds to Finneran's endorsements from the Working Families Party (which also adds a ballot line), Third Act, NY Progressive Action Network, Cairo Democratic Committee, Albany County legislators William Reinhardt, Merton Simpson and Douglas Bullock (retired), former Mayor of Sharon Springs and past National President of Veterans for Peace, Elliott Adams, and former Cairo town supervisor, Ted Banta.  

For Immediate Release 2/24/26

Contact: Michael Gelfand, (518) 610-0326, gelgahan@verizon.net,                                                finneranforassembly@gmail.com

Candidate Mary Finneran wins the Working Families Party endorsement 

One day following the Finneran for Assembly campaign announcing with delight Mary Finneran's endorsement by Albany County Legislator William Reinhardt,  Finneran was beyond elated on returning home from the first day of gathering ballot petition signatures to discover that she had been awarded the Working Families Party endorsement.  

The candidate stated "The Working Family Party's determination to make affordability and quality in housing, childcare, healthcare and more a standard for all working people, along with their stalwart defense of immigrants and all people being oppressed, makes me beyond proud of this endorsement"; she added, "I am very inspired and energized to help the WFP achieve their goals."

The WFP endorsement is Finneran's ninth. Other endorsers include the upstate chapter of Third Act. (Climate organizer Bill McKibben's organization) and the NY Progressive Action Network (NYPAN).   Along with Reinhardt, current and retired legislators Merton Simpson and Doug Bullock have also endorsed her, as has Elliot Adams, former mayor of Sharon Springs and past National President of Veterans for Peace. Mary's home town Cairo Democratic Committee and former Cairo Town Supervisor, Ted Banta III were her earliest endorsers. 

Very recently Reinhardt, when endorsing Finneran, said "We need more Progressive voices in the Assembly."  The endorsement by the Working Families Party helps ensure this becomes a reality.