Frazier Seeks State Senate Term

ONEONTA — Michele Frazier is seeking a term in the New York State Senate two years after seeking the seat. With State Sen. Peter Oberacker running for Congress, Frazier will likely square off against current Assemblyman Chris Tague in November.

She said that she is “excited to run again because of the people I met along the way.” She said that the stories from those she met made her want to “fight for rural New York.” Frazier cited local residents having trouble making ends meet or making medical appointments.

“There’s a duty to those people and a passion for where we live,” she said. Frazier added that she loves “being a rural New Yorker.”

“I’m super excited,” said Frazier. She added that many people are seeking “beyond party lines” and that when they “research people out there doing the real work,” they would consider her.

“I’m really optimistic,” she said.

The candidate said that her top three topics are housing, healthcare, and a “fair share.” She said that every part of the district has housing issues. There is a “distinct way we need to develop and take care of our land,” she said. Frazier added that there should be the ability for an expansion of housing.

“Every single family has run into a housing issue,” she said.

She cited one person in Deposit who needs to take the bus for an hour to Binghamton for an appointment two times a week. The issue isn’t just affordability, she said. Time to travel and receive appointments are a major challenge. She cited her son and his medical needs.

“We need people who understand healthcare and the complicating factors,” she said.

Frazier said that she believes there are “people who rigged the system.” She believes that “billionaires and corporations” should “pay their fair share” and redistribute the money to local residents. She holds that local residents should not pay more in taxes.

“We need them to pay their fair share, so we can get our fair share,” she added.

She said that if she makes it to Albany, the fact that the Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature, she would be able to utilize this to assist the area.

“Democrats have the keys,” she said.

“A lot of them are urbanites, and this is not their fault, who do not understand that our students are on the school buses an hour each way. It’s not their reality. It’s ours,” she said.

Frazier argued that Republicans sought lower taxes for large corporations, and she seeks to tax the wealthy instead.

“There’s two pieces to this,” she said, including practicality and the larger philosophical question of fairness.

The candidate said that the state “has a ways to go” to “bring things back to a fair share.” She cited high inequality in New York State.

“There is a reality that money is a part of politics,” she said. Frazier said that she would not be beholden to large donations and is publicly funding her campaign.

“Money should not control who has rights and who has what in the context of being able to be bought,” she added.

Frazier said that her goal is "meeting people where they’re at.” She cited an effort in Sullivan County that feeds 800 people a day. Being able to listen to residents has helped a lot, she added.

“I get it. I’m a working mom. I have three children, all of them still in school. Two of them are neurodivergent, I have a special needs son,” she added. She has an “atrocious” NYSEG bill and has to handle medical appointments and daily struggles.

Frazier grew up in Oneonta, and is a “proud rural New Yorker,” she said. She seeks for a “politician not to be a politician. I’m your friend and I’m showing.” 

The campaign is requesting that residents read a book called The Rural Voter by Nicholas Jacobs and Daniel Shea through the Backwoods Book Club. 

“People need to get out to vote,” she said. “That’s how democracy continues.”

“Vote, vote, vote.”