Candidates Prepare to Battle for Thomas Libous’ Former Senate Seat

New York state Republican Chairman Ed Cox met with Republican leaders from the 52 ^nd Senate District Tuesday to help them plan an effective campaign for their candidate to replace Tom Libous in the state Senate. The GOP now holds 31 seats in the 63 seat senate. They need to have 32 seats to maintain a majority. Cox said he is giving his support to Broome County Under-sheriff Fred Akshare who is the unanimous choice of republicans in the 52 ^nd Senate district. On the other side of the coin , Democrat Barbara Fiala, former Broome County executive and state Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has been picked by Governor Cuomo to be the democratic candidate. Both will have a tough fight for the seat of Libous. The election will be November 3 ^rd.