For the first time, Democrats have gained an enrollment advantage in Upstate New York

A recent Buffalo News story highlighted Democrats gaining our first ever enrollment advantage in Upstate New York. In 1980 when Al D’Amato was elected to the Senate for the first time, Upstate had 1,332,306 Republicans and 1,034,963 Democrats. In Schenectady County there were 35,534 enrolled Republicans to the 23,740 enrolled Democrats. Today, Democrats now hold 1,524,697 to 1,492,309 in Upstate New York and in Schenectady County Democrats now have a 34,803 to 27,818 enrollment advantage (nearly a complete switch over the last 30 years).

The change in enrollment in Schenectady County was brought on by a dramatic change in governing philosophy and policy. In 2003, Schenectady County Democrats brought a new philosophy - working together works. We ended the petty bickering that was hindering economic development, we restored fiscal discipline to government budgets, and we opened up government, making it responsive to the needs of our community. We have worked to make Schenectady County a great place to live, work, and raise our families. The result is 3,000 new jobs, $300 million in new investment, and one of the fastest growing counties in New York State. To read the Buffalo News story about the change in Upstate enrollment, click here.