Progressive Democrat Gabriella Romero emerged from a crowded field for the 109th Assembly seat that included fellow Albany Common Council members, and is now set to take on Republican Alicia Purdy in the general election.

Romero, known for her progressive policies on housing and minimum wage, received 29% of around 12,000 votes among five candidates.

Someone new will take over the long-held 109^th Assembly District seat as State Senator Neil Breslin retires at the end of his term and current Assemblywoman Pat Fahy runs for his seat representing the 44^th Senate District.

The 109^th Assembly District represents portions of Albany, Guilderland and New Scotland.

Romero told NewsChannel 13 on Thursday the voters she spoke to have connected most with the idea of taxing the rich to help pay for state programs.

“People feel that. Because if I’m struggling so much, why are the millionaires and billionaires getting richer every year?” she said. “Really, the voters of Upstate New York are showing that they want people-centered policies, and they want people that are going to focus on working families as opposed to the wealthy and well-connected.”

Purdy is a journalist and mother of five children. She ran for mayor of Albany in 2021 and said she has watched the same issues fester, raising concerns about crime and the feeling constituents have that they are not safe.

“The issues we talked about then are escalating. The constant gunshots, and shootings, and where’s 911, and they’re stretched thin,” she said.

Purdy and Romero both want to address the affordability crisis.

“At the doors, it was a really clear message that I would talk about, which is this affordability crisis and this concept that it’s so expensive to live right now,” said Romero. “We need someone who’s going to address that in creative ways.”

The two take a different approach to policy. While each may care about sustainability, Purdy criticized current state climate policy and affordability of electricity when her children grow up. 

“I also look into the present now, how am I going to sustain a 39% increase in my electric bill,” she said.

Romero, the first Latina to represent Albany’s 6th Ward, said she looked forward to carrying forward the legislation that Fahy worked on.

“I think it’s just a really beautiful pair of two strong women that will be able to represent this district in a unique way,” Romero said. “I really look forward to taking over the bills that she’s introduced that she’s been such a great champion for, whether local or even state.”