Darrel Aubertine
Encyclopedia
Darrel J. Aubertine was a member of the New York State Senate
for the 48th district, which covers Central New York and the North Country
region counties of Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence in New York State. He is a registered Democrat
and represented the district in the state Senate from February 2008 to December 2010. He was chairman of the Senate's Agriculture Committee and Ranking Majority Member of the Senate Energy Committee, as well as the bicameral/bipartisan Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and the Senate's Upstate Democratic Caucus.
Aubertine currently serves as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
. He and his wife Margaret were married in 1977. They have three children: Erin, Paul, and Timothy.
. Prior to serving in the state senate he served on the Cape Vincent
town council from 1994 to 1996. In 1996 he was elected to the Jefferson County
legislature where he served until 2002 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly
representing the 118th district. He is the only farmer serving in the New York state Legislature and the only Democrat in the state Senate that represents exclusively rural areas; he is one of five Democrats in the Senate to represent a region of Upstate New York
.
He defeated Republican William Barclay
, partially because Barclay's family profited from their privately owned stretch of the Salmon River
, by charging local fishermen and anglers $30 for access, which had previously been free. Aubertine carries significant crossover appeal among Republicans and Independents enabling him to win election in the most Republican district in the State Senate.
Aubertine was endorsed by the Working Families Party
as well, and received help from the Working Families Party canvass staff, which paid college students and others from the area, bringing in select staff from other parts of New York State to work Get Out The Vote operations throughout the district, a practice they would repeat in the November election. The Senator declined the Working Families Party's assistance and ballot line for the 2010 election.
Soon after being elected in February, he was successful in securing $250 million for improvements at State University of New York campuses in Oswego and Canton. He worked to secure large increases in school aid and $10 million in infrastructure aid for the areas surrounding Fort Drum. He also brought in $390,000 in member items for projects in the three counties he represents.
In the November campaign, the Senator was criticized for hiring his sister to his staff in violation of State ethics law, though he corrected the problem when notified of the conflict after just a few weeks on the job and later paid back the money she received. Partisan dysfunction in the Senate became an issue after bills he sponsored passed in the Assembly but did not come to a vote on the Senate floor as opponents claimed he did not file the proper paperwork. The bills were, however, delivered to the Senate Rules Committee then-led by the Republican Majority Leader, who chose not to move them.
On June 22, 2008, the Watertown Daily Times cited unnamed sources to say that Gov. David Paterson's office offered Aubertine a job to head the New York Power Authority, and later that day the Senator confirmed that he had declined the offer. Two days later the governor said the senator misunderstood, though more sources told the Times Union in Albany that the senator's version was accurate.
Aubertine succeeded James W. Wright
, who resigned after eight terms to become an energy lobbyist. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Aubertine was a member of the New York State Assembly
from the 118th district from 2003 to 2008. The owner and operator of his farm in Cape Vincent, Aubertine gave up milking cows when he joined the Assembly, but remains and active crop and livestock farmer. He was named chairman of the Senate's Agriculture Committee on January 7, 2009, replacing Republican Catharine Young
, when Democrats retook the chamber. Aubertine was an anomaly in that he was a man chairing a committee traditionally led by women (Young, Patricia McGee
, and Nancy Larraine Hoffman before and Patty Ritchie
after).
Aubertine's first victory brought the New York State Democrats within one vote of controlling the New York State Senate
, and, thus, to controlling all three levels of state power, as they already control the State Assembly and the Governor is a Democrat, for the first time since 1935. In November, Aubertine's re-election along with the addition of two new Democratic Senators cleared the way for Sen. Malcolm Smith to be named Majority Leader on January 8, 2009.
On November 4, 2008, Aubertine defeated Watertown attorney David Renzi by about 6,000 votes (52,908 to 46,941) to win re-election to a full term beginning in January with 53 percent of the vote, despite consistent negative advertising and a large party enrollment disadvantage
Aubertine had been mentioned as a leading candidate to run for the House seat representing New York's 23rd congressional district
, formerly held by Secretary of the Army nominee John McHugh
, a Republican. In lieu of the campaign, the Senator embarked on an tour of New York State to gather information on key legislative issues, most notably the expiring Power for Jobs program and the Farm Labor Fair Practices Act, which he opposed on the grounds that it would be damaging to the state's agricultural industry and harm the very workers it is intended to benefit.
As a member of the Senate Majority, Aubertine has been one of the most prolific legislators, passing more than 50 bills in 2010, all with broad bipartisan support. That legislation included bills to reduce regulations and open up new opportunities for farmers that includes "Energize New York" a reformed version of the successful Power for Jobs legislation, for which he sponsored an extension this year, protecting a quarter of a million jobs, including 25,000 in Central New York and the North Country. The Senator worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to defeat legislation opposed by gun owners and the farm labor bill. On December 2, 2009, Aubertine was one of eight Democratic state senators to vote against same-sex marriage
legislation, which failed to pass the Senate.
Aubertine was defeated for re-election by Republican St. Lawrence County
Clerk Patricia A. "Patty" Ritchie
in November 2010.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
for the 48th district, which covers Central New York and the North Country
North Country, New York
The North Country is a region of the U.S. state of New York that encompasses the state's extreme northern frontier, bordering Lake Ontario on the west, the Saint Lawrence River and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec on the north and northwest, and Lake Champlain and Vermont on the east...
region counties of Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence in New York State. He is a registered Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and represented the district in the state Senate from February 2008 to December 2010. He was chairman of the Senate's Agriculture Committee and Ranking Majority Member of the Senate Energy Committee, as well as the bicameral/bipartisan Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and the Senate's Upstate Democratic Caucus.
Aubertine currently serves as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Early life
Aubertine was born in Cape Vincent, New YorkCape Vincent, New York
Cape Vincent, New York may refer to:* Cape Vincent , New York* Cape Vincent , New York...
. He and his wife Margaret were married in 1977. They have three children: Erin, Paul, and Timothy.
Political career
On February 26, 2008 he won an upset victory in the predominantly Republican 48th district of the New York State SenateNew York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. Prior to serving in the state senate he served on the Cape Vincent
Cape Vincent (town), New York
Cape Vincent is a town in Jefferson County, New York, USA. The population was 2,777 at the 2010 census.The Town of Cape Vincent is located in the northwest part of the county. In the town is a village also called Cape Vincent. Both town and village are northwest of Watertown.- History :The town...
town council from 1994 to 1996. In 1996 he was elected to the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
legislature where he served until 2002 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
representing the 118th district. He is the only farmer serving in the New York state Legislature and the only Democrat in the state Senate that represents exclusively rural areas; he is one of five Democrats in the Senate to represent a region of Upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
.
He defeated Republican William Barclay
William Barclay (politician)
William A. "Will" Barclay is a Republican member of the New York State Assembly representing the 124th Assembly District, which includes Oswego, New York and portions of Onondaga and Oswego counties....
, partially because Barclay's family profited from their privately owned stretch of the Salmon River
Salmon River (New York)
The Salmon River arises in north central New York State on the Tug Hill Plateau to the east of Lake Ontario. It flows westward off the plateau and there is a hydroelectric dam near Little America to create the Salmon River Reservoir. Both the Salmon River and Salmon River Reservoir are heavily...
, by charging local fishermen and anglers $30 for access, which had previously been free. Aubertine carries significant crossover appeal among Republicans and Independents enabling him to win election in the most Republican district in the State Senate.
Aubertine was endorsed by the Working Families Party
Working Families Party
The Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
as well, and received help from the Working Families Party canvass staff, which paid college students and others from the area, bringing in select staff from other parts of New York State to work Get Out The Vote operations throughout the district, a practice they would repeat in the November election. The Senator declined the Working Families Party's assistance and ballot line for the 2010 election.
Soon after being elected in February, he was successful in securing $250 million for improvements at State University of New York campuses in Oswego and Canton. He worked to secure large increases in school aid and $10 million in infrastructure aid for the areas surrounding Fort Drum. He also brought in $390,000 in member items for projects in the three counties he represents.
In the November campaign, the Senator was criticized for hiring his sister to his staff in violation of State ethics law, though he corrected the problem when notified of the conflict after just a few weeks on the job and later paid back the money she received. Partisan dysfunction in the Senate became an issue after bills he sponsored passed in the Assembly but did not come to a vote on the Senate floor as opponents claimed he did not file the proper paperwork. The bills were, however, delivered to the Senate Rules Committee then-led by the Republican Majority Leader, who chose not to move them.
On June 22, 2008, the Watertown Daily Times cited unnamed sources to say that Gov. David Paterson's office offered Aubertine a job to head the New York Power Authority, and later that day the Senator confirmed that he had declined the offer. Two days later the governor said the senator misunderstood, though more sources told the Times Union in Albany that the senator's version was accurate.
Aubertine succeeded James W. Wright
James W. Wright
James W. Wright is executive director of the Development Authority of the North Country. Previously he had been a member of the New York State Senate, representing the 48th district. This district includes Oswego and Jefferson counties, as well as part of St. Lawrence County.Prior to his election,...
, who resigned after eight terms to become an energy lobbyist. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Aubertine was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from the 118th district from 2003 to 2008. The owner and operator of his farm in Cape Vincent, Aubertine gave up milking cows when he joined the Assembly, but remains and active crop and livestock farmer. He was named chairman of the Senate's Agriculture Committee on January 7, 2009, replacing Republican Catharine Young
Catharine Young
Catharine M. "Cathy" Young is an American legislator on the state level who, as a member of the Republican Party, has represented New York's 149th State Assembly district from 1999 to 2005 and, since May 2005, the 57th State Senate district, which includes all of Chautauqua County, Cattaraugus...
, when Democrats retook the chamber. Aubertine was an anomaly in that he was a man chairing a committee traditionally led by women (Young, Patricia McGee
Patricia McGee
Patricia K. "Pat" McGee was a longtime New York State Assemblywoman and Senator from Franklinville, New York.-Political career:...
, and Nancy Larraine Hoffman before and Patty Ritchie
Patty Ritchie
-External links:*...
after).
Aubertine's first victory brought the New York State Democrats within one vote of controlling the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, and, thus, to controlling all three levels of state power, as they already control the State Assembly and the Governor is a Democrat, for the first time since 1935. In November, Aubertine's re-election along with the addition of two new Democratic Senators cleared the way for Sen. Malcolm Smith to be named Majority Leader on January 8, 2009.
On November 4, 2008, Aubertine defeated Watertown attorney David Renzi by about 6,000 votes (52,908 to 46,941) to win re-election to a full term beginning in January with 53 percent of the vote, despite consistent negative advertising and a large party enrollment disadvantage
Aubertine had been mentioned as a leading candidate to run for the House seat representing New York's 23rd congressional district
New York's 23rd congressional district
The 23rd Congressional District of New York is New York's northernmost congressional district for the United States House of Representatives. The district includes all or parts of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties. It...
, formerly held by Secretary of the Army nominee John McHugh
John M. McHugh
John Michael McHugh is the 21st United States Secretary of the Army and a former Republican politician from the state of New York, formerly representing the state's 23rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.On June 2, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated him to...
, a Republican. In lieu of the campaign, the Senator embarked on an tour of New York State to gather information on key legislative issues, most notably the expiring Power for Jobs program and the Farm Labor Fair Practices Act, which he opposed on the grounds that it would be damaging to the state's agricultural industry and harm the very workers it is intended to benefit.
As a member of the Senate Majority, Aubertine has been one of the most prolific legislators, passing more than 50 bills in 2010, all with broad bipartisan support. That legislation included bills to reduce regulations and open up new opportunities for farmers that includes "Energize New York" a reformed version of the successful Power for Jobs legislation, for which he sponsored an extension this year, protecting a quarter of a million jobs, including 25,000 in Central New York and the North Country. The Senator worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to defeat legislation opposed by gun owners and the farm labor bill. On December 2, 2009, Aubertine was one of eight Democratic state senators to vote against same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage in New York
Same-sex marriage in the U.S. state of New York became legal on July 24, 2011, under the Marriage Equality Act, which was passed on June 24, 2011, by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on the same day...
legislation, which failed to pass the Senate.
Aubertine was defeated for re-election by Republican St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
Clerk Patricia A. "Patty" Ritchie
Patty Ritchie
-External links:*...
in November 2010.
Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Markets
Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated Aubertine as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on January 6, 2011. Aubertine was unanimously confirmed by the State Senate on April 5, 2011. He had been serving in the capacity as acting commissioner between his nomination and final confirmation.Election results
- February 2008 special election, NYS Senate, 48th SD
Darrel J. Aubertine (DEM New York State Democratic CommitteeThe New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
- WORWorking Families PartyThe Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
)... 29,504 Will Barclay (REP New York Republican State CommitteeThe New York Republican State Committee is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in New York, headquartered in Albany.-History:...
- INDIndependence Party of New YorkThe Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
- CON)... 26,662
- November 2008 general electionGeneral electionIn a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
, NYS Senate, 48th SDDarrel J. Aubertine (DEM New York State Democratic CommitteeThe New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
- WORWorking Families PartyThe Working Families Party is a minor political party in the United States founded in New York in 1998. There are "sister" parties to the New York WFP in Connecticut, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Oregon, but there is as yet no national WFP...
)... 52,908 David A. Renzi (REP New York Republican State CommitteeThe New York Republican State Committee is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in New York, headquartered in Albany.-History:...
- INDIndependence Party of New YorkThe Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
- CON)... 46,942
- November 2010 general electionGeneral electionIn a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
, NYS Senate, 48th SDPatricia A. Ritchie (REP New York Republican State CommitteeThe New York Republican State Committee is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in New York, headquartered in Albany.-History:...
- CON - TXPTaxpayers Party of New YorkThe Taxpayers Party of New York State was an American political party active in the state of New York. It was not part of any nationwide party, nor is it affiliated with the U.S. Taxpayers' Party , which predates it by 18 years, or the Tax Revolt Party active in Nassau County...
)... 38,508 Darrel J. Aubertine (DEM New York State Democratic CommitteeThe New York State Democratic Committee runs the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of New York. Its headquarters are in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and it has an office in Albany.-List of chairpersons:...
- INDIndependence Party of New YorkThe Independence Party is an affiliate in the U.S. state of New York of the Independence Party of America. The party was founded in 1991 by Dr. Gordon Black, Tom Golisano, and Laureen Oliver from Rochester, New York, and acquired ballot status in 1994...
)... 34,712