{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Patricia Fahy | image = Patricia Fahy 2025.jpg | image_size = | caption = Fahy in 2025 | office = Member of the [[New York State Senate]] from the [[New York's 46th State Senate district|46th]] district | term_start = January 1, 2025 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Neil Breslin]] | successor = | constituency = | state_assembly2 = New York | district2 = [[New York's 109th State Assembly district|109th]] | term_start2 = January 1, 2013 | term_end2 = December 31, 2024 | predecessor2 = [[Jack McEneny]] | successor2 = [[Gabriella Romero]] | birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]] | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] | spouse = Wayne Bequette | children = 2 | alma_mater = [[Northern Illinois University]] (BA), [[University of Illinois, Chicago]] (MPA) | profession = [[Educator]], [[politician]] | website = {{Official website|1=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/patricia-fahy}} | footnotes = | signature = Patricia Fahy Signature.png }}
'''Patricia Fahy''' is an [[People of the United States|American]] politician from the state of New York. A [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], Fahy has represented District 46 in the New York State Senate since 2025. The district includes all of [[Montgomery County, New York|Montgomery County]], as well as portions of [[Albany County, New York|Albany County]] and [[Schenectady County, New York|Schenectady County]]. Fahy previously represented the 109th District in the New York State Assembly for 12 years. Before serving in the New York State Legislature, Fahy was president of the Albany City Board of Education.
==Electoral history== ===2012 elections=== On September 13, 2012, there was a Democratic primary in Assembly District 109<ref name="primary 1">{{cite web|url=http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/|work=Albany County Board of Elections|title=Official Results from Past Elections|author1=Matthew J. Clyne |author2=Rachel L. Bledi |date=September 13, 2012|access-date=February 13, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222065853/http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> to replace the retiring incumbent [[Jack McEneny]], who had been an assemblyman for 20 years. Fahy received 5,335 votes (36.34%) in a crowded field that included Frank J. Commisso, Jr., Christopher T. Higgins, William J. McCarthy, Jr., Jim Coyne and Margarita Perez, as well as write-in candidates.<ref name="primary 2">{{cite web|url=http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/_pdf/20121003-Primary2012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070108/http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/_pdf/20121003-Primary2012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|work=Albany County Board of Elections|title=Official Primary Statistics|author1=Matthew J. Clyne |author2=Rachel L. Bledi |date=September 27, 2012|access-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref> Ted J. Danz, Jr., however, beat Fahy in the Independence Party primary held the same date, 51 to 46%, with some write-ins.<ref name="primary 2" /> Fahy had previously served as president of the City School District of Albany Board of Education.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/143189/patricia-fahy|title=Patricia Fahy's Biography|website=justfacts.votesmart.org|access-date=April 20, 2026}}</ref>
In the November 2012 general election, Fahy won with 37,967 votes, or almost 63%, on the Democratic and Working Family party lines, against Danz, who received about 32.5% on the Republican and Independence lines, and the [[perennial candidate]] and [[Tea Party movement|Tea Party activist]] Joseph P. Sullivan on the Conservative line, who got about 3.5% of the vote.<ref name="genearl 1">{{cite web|url=http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/_pdf/20130205-RE12_SUMMARY_RESULTS.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222065751/http://access.albanycounty.com/boe/electionresults/_pdf/20130205-RE12_SUMMARY_RESULTS.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014|work=Albany County Board of Elections|title=SUMMARY REPORT OFFICIAL|author1=Matthew J. Clyne |author2=Rachel L. Bledi |date=February 5, 2013|access-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref>
===2024 election===
After serving in the Assembly for 12 years,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://capitolpressroom.org/2025/01/09/old-faces-in-new-places-in-the-legislature/|title=Old faces in new places in the legislature -|first=David|last=Lombardo|date=January 9, 2025|website=capitolpressroom.org}}</ref> Fahy succeeded retiring incumbent state senator [[Neil Breslin]] of [[New York's 46th State Senate district|New York's 46th State Senate District]]. She defeated<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=Fahy, Romero win seats in Albany state legislative shakeup |url=https://www.wamc.org/news/2024-11-06/fahy-romero-win-seats-in-albany-state-legislative-shakeup |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=WAMC |language=en}}</ref> [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] Ted Danz in the [[2024 New York State Senate election|2024 election]], 56% to 44%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Dave |date=February 20, 2024 |title=Capital Region Democrats line up behind New York state Assemblywoman Pat Fahy's state Senate bid |url=https://www.wamc.org/news/2024-02-20/capital-region-democrats-line-up-behind-new-york-state-assemblywoman-pat-fahys-state-senate-bid |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=WAMC Northeast Public Radio}}</ref>
Senate District 46 includes all of [[Montgomery County, New York|Montgomery County]], as well as portions of [[Albany County, New York|Albany County]] and [[Schenectady County, New York|Schenectady County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/patricia-fahy/district|title=Our District - NY Senate District 46|website=nysenate.gov|access-date=April 20, 2026}}</ref>
==Legislative work== Fahy raised concerns about the impact of Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]]'s proposed 2014-2015 budget on P-12 education.<ref>Multiple sources: *{{cite news|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/School-advocates-say-Cuomo-budget-shortchanges-5166905.php|work=Times Union|title=School advocates say Cuomo budget shortchanges kids; others hit $2B tax cut for wealthy: Tax cuts for wealthy attacked as more for needy schools sought|last=Seiler|first=Casey|date=January 22, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014}} *{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/cuomo-pitting-pre-k-against-k-12-programs-some-say-1.6866891|work=Newsday|title=Cuomo pitting pre-K against K-12 programs, some say|last=Roy|first=Yancey|date=January 23, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014}} *{{cite news|url=http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Notable-quotes-of-the-week-5175048.php|work=Times Union|title=Notable Quotes of the Week|date=January 25, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014}} *{{cite news|url=http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s3292948.shtml|work=WNYT-TV news|title=Cuomo budget draws complaints from progressive groups|last=Lambdin|first=Bill|date=January 22, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222161534/http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s3292948.shtml|url-status=dead}} *{{cite news|url=http://metroland.net/2014/01/23/nothing-left-to-squeeze/|work=Metroland|title=Nothing Left To Squeeze Area legislators and advocates gather to tell Gov. Cuomo that his budget will devastate education in upstate New York, and that they won't take it quietlyb|last=Pihlaja|first=Erin|date=January 23, 2014|access-date=February 13, 2014}} </ref>
In February 2017, Fahy, along with Albany Mayor [[Kathy Sheehan]] and Congressman [[Paul Tonko]], were criticized by Bishop [[Edward Scharfenberger]] for being Catholic politicians who supported and attended a rally for [[Planned Parenthood]]. The rally, which drew hundreds of attendees in support of Planned Parenthood, emphasized the risk of losing services like pregnancy testing and cancer screening due to potential federal funding cuts.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Churchill-Bishop-scolds-Catholic-politicians-who-10936380.php|work=Albany Times-Union|title=Churchill: Bishop scolds Catholic politicians who stood with Planned Parenthood|last=Churchill|first=Chris|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref>
In 2019, Fahy penned an [op-ed] in the [[Albany Times Union]] that called for the reimagining of [[I-787]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Demolish-I-787-and-the-Capital-Region-will-14474506.php|title=Demolish I-787 and the Capital Region will flourish|first=By Patricia|last=Fahy|date=September 28, 2019|website=Times Union}}</ref> In 2022, she secured $5 million for a feasibility study to reimagine the highway, and in 2025, Governor [[Kathy Hochul]] pledged $35 million to fully reimagine 787 alongside downtown Albany as part of the $400 million 'Championing Albany's Potential' initiative.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated --> |date=October 10, 2025 |title=Governor Hochul and State Department of Transportation Announce Public Open House for Future of I-787 Corridor |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-and-state-department-transportation-announce-public-open-house-future-i-787 |website=www.governor.ny.gov |location=Albany, NY |publisher=Governor Hochul Pressroom |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>
In 2021, Fahy sponsored and passed New York State's first-ever gun industry liability law with State Senator [[Zellnor Myrie]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S7196|title=NY State Senate Bill 2021-S7196|website=nysenate.gov|access-date=April 20, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=July 8, 2022 |title=One Year Later, New York's Gun Industry Liability Law is Working |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/zellnor-myrie/one-year-later-new-yorks-gun-industry-liability-law |website=www.nysenate.gov |location=Albany, NY |publisher=Senator Zellnor Myrie |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
In 2022, Fahy sponsored and passed the nation's first [[right to repair]] law, the New York Digital Fair Repair Act, which requires manufacturers of certain electronic devices to make diagnostic and repair information, parts, and tools available to independent repair shops and consumers on "fair and reasonable terms". Since then, multiple states have introduced and passed different versions of their own right-to-repair laws.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=January 29, 2024 |title=Attorney General James Reminds Consumers It's Easier Than Ever to Get Electronics Repaired in New York |url=https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-reminds-consumers-its-easier-ever-get-electronics#:~:text=%E2%80%9CPhones%20and%20computers%20are%20lifelines,Breslin%2C%20the%20bill's%20Senate%20sponsor. |website=www.ag.ny.gov |location=New York, NY |publisher=Attorney General Letitia James |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
Fahy also sponsored legislation, passed and signed into law in 2022, that requires New York State to conserve 30% of its land and water by 2030 as part of the [[30 by 30]] movement.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=December 23, 2022 |title=Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Conserve 30 Percent of Land and Water by 2030 |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-conserve-30-percent-land-and-water-2030 |website=www.governor.ny.gov |location=Albany, NY |publisher=Governor Kathy Hochul |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
In 2024, as the Higher Education Chair in the Assembly, Fahy led the push to '#TurnOnTheTap' and expand New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which assists middle and low-income students with the cost of tuition at [[SUNY]] and [[CUNY]] schools. This resulted in the first expansion in New York's financial assistance program for students in more than 25 years and a doubling of award amounts.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- not stated --> |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Governor Hochul Celebrates Historic Expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-celebrates-historic-expansion-tuition-assistance-program#:~:text=The%20Tuition%20Assistance%20Program%20(TAP)%20is%20a,NTI%20limit**%20Increases%20from%20$40%2C000%20to%20$60%2C000 |website=www.governor.ny.gov |location=Albany, NY |publisher=Governor Hochul Pressroom |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
At the beginning of 2025, Fahy continued her push to expand New York's [[Earned Income Tax Credit]].<ref>{{cite news| last = Day| first = Felix| date = February 12, 2025| title = New York senator pushes for expanded tax credit amid rising inflation| newspaper = WRGB CBS6| url = https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/new-york-senator-pushes-for-expanded-tax-credit-amid-rising-inflation| access-date = 2025-11-09}}</ref>
On March 27, 2025, Fahy introduced a bill that would issue new certificates of registration to ZEV-exclusive manufacturers not previously permitted to participate in direct manufacturer auto sales in New York State.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fahy, Romero Introduce Legislation to Renew EV Direct Sales Location Certificates, Expand EV Ownership {{!}} NYSenate.gov |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/patricia-fahy/fahy-romero-introduce-legislation-renew-ev-direct-sales |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.nysenate.gov |language=en}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
On July 15, 2025, Fahy introduced legislation that would ban [[United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement|ICE]] agents from wearing masks during civilian immigration actions conducted in New York State.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Senator Fahy Introduces MELT Act to Prohibit Masking by ICE Agents |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/patricia-fahy/senator-fahy-introduces-melt-act-prohibit-masking-ice |website=www.nysenate.gov |location=Albany, NY |publisher=New York State Senator Patricia Fahy |access-date=2025-11-09}}</ref>{{better source|date=April 2026}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/patricia-fahy/about Official biography at the New York State Senate website] * [https://www.patriciafahy.com/ Campaign website]
{{S-start}} {{S-par | us-ny-sen}} {{S-bef | before = [[Neil Breslin]]}} {{s-ttl | title = [[New York State Senate|New York State Senate, 46th District]] | years = January 1, 2025 – present}} {{S-inc}} {{S-end}}
{{S-start}} {{S-par | us-ny-hs}} {{S-bef | before = [[Jack McEneny]]}} {{s-ttl | title = [[New York State Assembly|New York State Assembly, 109th District]] | years = January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2024}} {{S-aft | after = [[Gabriella Romero]]}} {{S-end}} {{New York State Senate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fahy, Patricia}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly]] [[Category:Women state legislators in New York (state)]] [[Category:Politicians from Albany, New York]] [[Category:Northern Illinois University alumni]] [[Category:21st-century American women politicians]] [[Category:1958 births]] [[Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature]]