Soares calls assemblyman ‘hypocrite’ after backing his primary challenger

Albany County District Attorney David Soares blasted a local assemblyman for endorsing his challenger in the Democratic primary.

On Thursday, Assemblyman Phil Steck endorsed defense attorney Lee Kindlon in the Democratic primary. Steck has called on Soares to step down after news surfaced that he gave himself a $20,000 bonus using grant money.

Soares’ campaign sent out the following statement at 5 p.m.:

“There is no value in an endorsement from a complete hypocrite like Phil Steck, who doubles down on ill-advised public safety policies that wreak havoc on our residents and businesses.

“Mr. Steck supports laws that allow teenagers to possess loaded firearms without consequences, and other laws that let shoplifters steal repeatedly. Considering that Mr. Steck has always endorsed my opponents, I too would like to thank him for his consistency as his track record in my races speaks for itself.”

Steck sent the following statement in response to Soares’ comment.

“Mr. Soares is clearly desperate and trying to scare people with wild accusations that lack a basis in actual fact. No reasonable person would take the position that he is attributing to me. This is exactly why he should no longer be District Attorney.”