Gary Finch
Gary Finch (Republican Party) was a member of theNew York State Assembly, representingDistrict 126. He assumed office in 2013. He left office on January 1, 2021.
Finch (Republican Party) ran for re-election to theNew York State Assembly to representDistrict 126. He won in the general election onNovember 6, 2018.
Finch served asAssistant Minority Leader.
He previously represented District 123 in the Assembly from 1999 to 2013 and is a formerMinority Whip. His political experience also includes being the deputy minority whip for the New York State Assembly; as well as mayor and trustee for the Village of Aurora.
Biography
Finch earned a degree from Simmons School of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York, and his B.S. in Public Administration and Political Theory from the State University of New York Empire State College.[1] His professional experience includes being the owner and chief operating officer of Brew-Finch Funeral Homes.
Committee assignments
2019-2020
Finch was assigned to the following committees:
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Banks |
| •Correction |
| •Housing |
| •Rules |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Finch served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Banks |
| •Correction |
| •Energy |
| •Insurance |
| •Rules |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Finch served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Correction |
| •Energy |
| •Environmental Conservation |
| •Insurance |
| •Rules |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Finch served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry |
| •Energy |
| •Environmental Conservation |
| •Insurance |
| •Rules |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Finch served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| •Agriculture |
| •Alcoholism and Drug Abuse |
| •Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry |
| •Energy |
| •Environmental Conservation |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
Gary Finch did not file to run for re-election.[2]
2018
Finch also ran in the 2018 election as aConservative Party,Independence Party, andReform Party candidate.
General election
General election for New York State Assembly District 126
IncumbentGary Finch defeatedKeith Batman in the general election for New York State Assembly District 126 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gary Finch (R) | 56.7 | 30,505 |
 | Keith Batman (D) | 43.3 | 23,317 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 14 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 53,836 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||
 = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 126
Keith Batman advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 126 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Keith Batman |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 126
IncumbentGary Finch advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 126 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Finch |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2016
Elections for theNew York State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
IncumbentGary Finch defeatedDiane M. Dwire in the New York State Assembly District 126 general election.[3][4]
| New York State Assembly, District 126 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Gary FinchIncumbent | 61.67% | 37,078 | |
| Democratic | Diane M. Dwire | 38.33% | 23,047 | |
| Total Votes | 60,125 | |||
| Source:New York Board of Elections | ||||
Diane M. Dwire ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 126 Democratic primary.[5][6]
| New York State Assembly, District 126 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Diane M. Dwire (unopposed) | |
Dwire also ran on the Working Families and Women's Equality Party tickets.IncumbentGary Finch ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 126 Republican primary.[5][6]
| New York State Assembly, District 126 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Gary FinchIncumbent (unopposed) | |
Finch also ran on the Conservative, Independence, and Reform Party tickets.
2014
Elections for theNew York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014.Diane M. Dwire was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while incumbentGary Finch was unopposed in the Republican primary. Dwire ran on theWorking Families Party ticket and Finch ran on theConservative Party andIndependence Party of New York State tickets. Finch defeated Dwire in the general election.[7][8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary FinchIncumbent | 55.1% | 23,323 | |
| Democratic | Diane M. Dwire | 44.9% | 19,019 | |
| Total Votes | 42,342 | |||
2012
Finch ran in the2012 election forNew York State Assembly District 126. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary on September 13, 2012. He also ran on theConservative Party andIndependence Party of New York State tickets. He was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10][11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gary FinchIncumbent | 100% | 44,212 | |
| Total Votes | 44,212 | |||
2010
Finch ran unopposed in the September 14 Republican primary. He was unopposed in the general election on November 2.[13][14] In addition to his slot on the Republican Party ticket, he was also listed as a candidate of theIndependence Party of New York State and theConservative Party.
| New York State Assembly, District 123 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Gary Finch (R) | 28,569 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Finch won re-election to theNew York State Assembly, District 123, defeating opponent Barbara King (D).
Finch raised $85,257 for his campaign while King raised $8,786.[15]
| New York State Assembly, District 123 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Gary Finch (R) | 29,456 | |||
| Barbara King (D) | 15,940 | |||
Campaign themes
2014
Finch's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[16]
Education for a Global World
- Excerpt: "Higher Standards: Gary wants our children learning new skills, asking new questions and mastering new technologies. Gary will challenge our children to strive for excellence."
- Excerpt: "Fair Funding: Gary will work to reform New York State’s education funding formula to ensure that upstate schools receive their fair share of school aid. A child in Moravia deserves access to the same resources as a child from Manhattan."
Open for Business
- Excerpt: "Hold manufacturing taxes at 0 percent: Gary wants CNY to attract entrepreneurs who produce the technologies of the future and offer good paying jobs that blossom into fulfilling careers."
- Excerpt: "Cut Property Taxes: Gary wants to put a stop to the Assembly Democrats’ unfunded mandates that squeeze our local governments and drive up our property tax bills. Gary knows that our local businesses will hire more people if their fixed costs are lowered."
Women’s Equality
- Excerpt: "Gary not only supports, but sponsors of all 9 Womens Equality Act bills previously passed by the state Senate. Equal pay for equal work has been the law of the land since 1963, and Gary Finch stands behind that. He knows that by passing the bills currently held up by Assembly Democrats that put an end to human trafficking, sexual harassment, and pay inequity, we can ensure all our sisters, mothers, and daughters receive the fair treatment they deserve."
SAFE Act
- Excerpt: "Gary Finch is an ardent supporter of our right to bear arms. It’s why he was appalled when the SAFE Act was unleashed upon law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen. He voted against this unconstitutional measure and supports legislation repealing the onerous restrictions on gun owners, while ensuring that mental illness and wellness issues receive the proper attention and care they deserve."
Corruption
- Excerpt: "Gary Finch entered public service to do what’s right, and make life better for the people in his community. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way about being an official. Gary believes corrupt politicians who break the public trust deserve to lose not only their position, but their cushy, taxpayer-funded pension and go to prison. Gary supports the toughest ethics package in the entire state, a measure being blocked by Assembly Democrats more interested in themselves and their interests than in restoring good government and mending the broken public trust."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.
| Year | Office | Status | Contributions | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | New York State Assembly, District 126 | Won | $127,007 | N/A** |
| 2014 | New York State Assembly, District 126 | Won | $231,749 | N/A** |
| 2012 | New York State Assembly, District 126 | Won | $101,879 | N/A** |
| 2010 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $97,234 | N/A** |
| 2008 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $85,257 | N/A** |
| 2006 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $87,472 | N/A** |
| 2004 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $199,652 | N/A** |
| 2002 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $48,732 | N/A** |
| 2000 | New York State Assembly, District 123 | Won | $10,500 | N/A** |
| ** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle | ||||
| Note: Totals above reflect only available data. | ||||
Scorecards
Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
In 2020, theNew York State Legislature was in session from January 8 to December 31.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, theNew York State Legislature was in session from January 9 through January 8, 2020.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 202ndNew York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 3 through June 20.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 202ndNew York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 4 through December 31. A recess began June 21, and there was a special session June 28-29.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 201stNew York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 6 through June 18.
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2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the 201stNew York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 7 through June 25.
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2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the 200thNew York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 8 to June 19, 2014.
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2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the 200thNew York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the 199thNew York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 4 to June 22, 2012.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 199thNew York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 5 to June 20, 2011.
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Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Finch's endorsements included the following:[17]
- Unshackle Upstate
- Public Employees Federation (PEF)
- National Federation of Independent Business in New York
Presidential preference
2012
Gary Finch endorsedMitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[18]
See also
- New York State Assembly
- House Committees
- New York State Legislature
- New York state legislative districts
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Official campaign website
- Profile from Open States
- Gary Finch on Facebook
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions viaOpenSecrets
Footnotes
- ↑Project Vote Smart, "Biography of Rep. Finch,” accessed August 1, 2014
- ↑Syracuse.com, "Gary Finch will retire from NY Assembly after 10 terms (exclusive)," February 3, 2020
- ↑New York State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑New York State Board of Elections, "Election results, 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑5.05.1New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 State/Local Primary," accessed August 29, 2016
- ↑6.06.1New York State Board of Elections, "Election returns September 13, 2016," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
- ↑New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Candidate List for the September 13, 2012, State Primary Election," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official September 13, 2012, Primary Results," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑New York Times, "NY state legislative election results," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑New York State Board of Elections, "Official Primary results from September 14, 2010," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑Follow the Money, "Report on 2008 Campaign donations in New York," accessed August 1, 2014
- ↑Gary Finch's campaign website, "Leading with Compassion," accessed October 10, 2014
- ↑Gary Finch's campaign website, "Main page," accessed October 10, 2014
- ↑Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces New York Assembly Endorsements," December 9, 2011(Archived)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Donna Lupardo (D) | New York Assembly District 126 2013-2021 | Succeeded by John Lemondes Jr. (R) |
| Preceded by - | New York Assembly District 123 1999–2013 | Succeeded by Donna Lupardo (D) |
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