Special Election Set for NY Assembly District 115 – Nov 4

North Country residents will vote for new representative following Billy Jones’ unexpected departure

Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of a special election for Assembly District 115 on November 4 ensures that North Country residents won’t be left without representation after Billy Jones’ surprising resignation. The timing coincides with the general election, making it convenient for voters while filling a critical gap in Democratic leadership across the vast rural district.

The proclamation issued on September 15 follows standard procedure under Public Officers Law, but the circumstances surrounding Jones’ departure have caught many political observers off guard. For nearly a decade, Jones served as the region’s primary Democratic voice in Albany, making his exit particularly significant for the party’s North Country representation.

The Sudden End of a Political Career

Billy Jones’ resignation shocked the North Country political establishment. The Democrat had just won his fifth term unopposed in 2024, with his current term scheduled to run through 2026. His decision to step down halfway through caught even close political allies by surprise.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I will be leaving my seat as your assemblyman,” Jones announced in July during a press conference at Plattsburgh City Hall. His emotional delivery reflected the weight of leaving a position he called “the honor of my life.”

The timing particularly surprised political watchers. Jones had been mentioned as a potential congressional candidate just months earlier, though he declined interest in higher office. His focus remained squarely on local issues affecting the sprawling rural district.

Why Jones Left Politics Behind

Jones cited two primary reasons for his departure: spending more time with his 12-year-old daughter Ella and pursuing a “new opportunity” in the community. That opportunity proved to be a vice president position at Clinton Community College, leading the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.

The career change represents a significant shift from corrections officer to mayor to legislator to education leader. In a recent WAMC interview, Jones reflected on his decision:

“I was presented an opportunity to build something that I am passionate about, and build something that is necessary, that is wanted and needed in this community,” Jones explained. The position allows him to connect businesses with workforce development programs while maintaining his community ties.

Jones also expressed frustration with modern politics’ divisive nature. “You know, it’s always partners and more and more in this political realm that we’re in. You don’t hear that,” he noted, suggesting that increasing partisanship influenced his decision to step away from elected office.

Understanding Assembly District 115

The 115th Assembly District represents one of New York’s most geographically diverse constituencies. The district encompasses all of Clinton and Franklin counties, plus portions of Essex County including the towns of St. Armand, Wilmington, North Elba, and Keene.

This vast territory stretches “from St. Regis Falls east to the shores of Lake Champlain and from the border of Canada down to the center of the High Peaks Wilderness,” according to local news coverage. The district’s 137,782 residents live in communities ranging from bustling Plattsburgh to remote Adirondack hamlets.

The region faces unique challenges that require specialized legislative attention:

• Border communities dealing with cross-border commerce and security issues
• Tourism-dependent economies in the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain region
• Agricultural communities struggling with changing market conditions
• Manufacturing bases seeking workforce development support
• Veterans’ populations requiring specialized services

Demographic data shows the region is predominantly white (88.3%) with a median household income of $67,864, slightly below state averages. The area’s 14% poverty rate and aging population create additional legislative challenges.

Jones’ Legislative Legacy

During his nine-year tenure, Jones established himself as a pragmatic moderate who prioritized constituent services over partisan politics. His signature achievements include:

Emergency Services Support: The EMS Cost Recovery Act, originally introduced in the 1990s, finally passed under Jones’ leadership. This legislation allows volunteer fire departments to bill for emergency medical services, providing crucial funding for rural emergency response.

Environmental Protection: The Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act created the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, addressing environmental concerns while maintaining winter road safety in the North Country.

International Relations: Jones formed and chaired the legislature’s first Canada-New York Relations Task Force, reflecting the district’s significant border presence. City & State’s 2024 Upstate Power 100 List ranked him 56th, calling him the “Assembly’s ambassador to Canada.”

“Over the last nine years, Assemblymember Billy Jones has been a tireless advocate for the North Country and great member of the New York State Assembly,” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement to the Enterprise. “I wish him nothing but the best in all his future endeavors and know that he will be missed here in the People’s House.”

The Special Election Process

Unlike regular elections, special elections operate under different rules that could significantly impact the outcome. There will be no primary elections. Instead, party chairs from Clinton, Franklin, and Essex counties will select nominees through weighted voting based on their counties’ party membership within the district.

This system gives Clinton County considerable influence, as it holds more than 50% of both parties’ district membership. Essentially, Clinton County chairs could determine both major party nominees if they choose to exercise their full voting power.

Republican Election Commissioner David J. Souliere explained the timeline: “Typically, the governor has three days from the effective date to call a special election, which has to happen within 45 days.” Hochul’s September 15 proclamation ensures November 4 voting alongside the general election.

Candidates and Campaign Dynamics

The shortened campaign season led both parties to quickly identify preferred candidates, recognizing that early organization would prove crucial in the compressed timeline.

Democratic Nominee: Michael Cashman, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor, received unanimous support from Clinton, Franklin, and Essex County Democratic chairs. Jones personally endorsed Cashman as the “only person” he considered qualified to fill the seat.

Republican Strategy: The GOP sees Jones’ departure as an opportunity to reclaim a seat they held for years under Janet Duprey. Major Brent Davison, State Police Troop B Commander, received “full endorsement” from Clinton County Republican Committee Chair Jerika Manning.

The race represents more than local politics. Democrats desperately want to maintain their only North Country Assembly seat, while Republicans view this as their best chance to expand their upstate presence in a district that historically leaned Republican before Jones’ 2016 victory.

Historical Context and Electoral Challenges

Jones’ 2016 victory marked a significant Democratic breakthrough. He became “the first Democrat to represent Clinton County in the state legislature in over half a century,” according to his Wikipedia entry. His narrow 52% to 48% victory over Republican Kevin Mulverhill demonstrated the district’s competitive nature.

The district’s voting patterns show its swing potential. In 2024, Clinton County voted 50.95% for Trump versus 48.80% for Harris, indicating Republican presidential strength even as Jones won unopposed at the Assembly level. This split-ticket voting suggests local candidate quality matters more than party affiliation.

The November 4 special election timing could influence turnout patterns. General election participation typically exceeds special election voting, potentially benefiting whichever candidate better mobilizes their base amid high overall turnout.

Economic and Policy Implications

The outcome will significantly impact North Country economic development priorities. Jones championed manufacturing expansion, helped secure funding for infrastructure projects, and supported tourism development in the Adirondacks.

North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas called Jones “a true partner and a real contributing force to all of the North Country Chamber’s economic development strategies and initiatives.” His “constant support” helped grow the region’s transportation equipment manufacturing cluster with businesses like bus manufacturer Micro Bird expanding into Plattsburgh.

The new representative will inherit ongoing challenges:

• Workforce development needs in manufacturing and tourism sectors
• Infrastructure maintenance across the vast rural district
• Healthcare access in remote communities
• Agricultural support for struggling dairy farms
• Environmental protection balanced with economic development

Looking Ahead: November 4 and Beyond

The special election represents more than filling a vacant seat. It’s a test of whether Democrats can maintain their North Country foothold without Jones’ personal appeal and moderate positioning. The outcome could influence future redistricting discussions and party strategies across rural New York.

For North Country residents, the election ensures continued representation during a critical period. State budget negotiations, infrastructure planning, and economic development initiatives require consistent advocacy from their Assembly representative.

Governor Hochul’s quick action in setting the November 4 date demonstrates recognition of this seat’s importance. “To ensure residents of the 115th District have representation in the State Assembly, there will be a special election on Tuesday, November 4, coinciding with the general election, to fill the seat vacated by Assemblyman Billy Jones,” she stated.

The November 4 special election will determine whether Democrats retain their North Country Assembly presence or Republicans reclaim a seat they held for decades. Either way, the new representative faces the challenge of filling Billy Jones’ considerable shoes while addressing the unique needs of one of New York’s most geographically diverse and politically complex districts.

Voters in Assembly District 115 should mark their calendars for November 4 and research both candidates’ positions on local issues. The outcome will shape North Country representation for the remainder of the current term and potentially influence the region’s political trajectory for years to come.