Sam Hodge, a former prosecutor and chair of the Columbia County Democratic Committee, filed paperwork on Friday, Dec. 12, to form a campaign committee for a run for New York State Assembly District 106, setting up a primary challenge to six-term incumbent Assemblywoman Didi Barrett.
Assembly District 106 includes approximately 138,100 constituents in 872 square miles of Columbia and Dutchess counties, including the Pine Plains Central School District.
“Across Columbia and Dutchess counties, we are being squeezed by rising costs, unaffordable housing, dwindling rural healthcare options, skyrocketing utility bills, and a federal government that has abandoned its responsibility,” Hodge said in a statement. “New challenges demand new leaders.”
Barrett, 75, has represented the district since winning a 2012 special election. A Hudson Valley resident for more than 30 years, she entered politics after a career as a writer, museum professional, and nonprofit leader. Barrett chairs the Assembly’s Energy Committee and also serves on the committees for Agriculture; Environmental Conservation; and Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development. Barrett comfortably defeated her primary challenger, Claire Cousin, in 2024, receiving close to 57% of the vote according to certified election results.
Barrett confirmed to the Herald that she is running for re-election in 2026. “My mission is far from over,” she said. “These unsettling times demand that we work together to protect the values we share and the communities that we live in.”
She added, “But I am not interested in resting on laurels. I remain focused on the work ahead to ensure food access, housing security, healthcare, energy affordability and reliability and a clean energy transition, despite outrageous policies and slashed funding by the current federal administration.”
Hodge, 39, said his Friday filing will allow his campaign to begin raising funds. To appear on the ballot, he will need to collect at least 500 signatures during the March petitioning period. State election officials are processing his paperwork, which is expected to be publicly available early next week.
If elected, Hodge said his legislative priorities would include affordability, immigrant protections, climate policy, and access to health care. A lifelong Democrat who lives in Claverack with his husband, Ted, he pledged to reject corporate PAC contributions, including donations tied to utilities and landlord interests, and challenged his opponent to do the same.
Hodge previously served as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, where he worked in the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse and Sex Crimes bureaus. He said that experience informs his approach to public service. “The job of an Assemblymember is also to protect the vulnerable, confront broken systems, and demand accountability,” he said.