State

State Senator, 45th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on New York laws and the state budget and confirms the Governor's appointments.

Covers Clinton County, Essex County, Franklin County, Warren County, part of Saint Lawrence County and part of Washington County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Melissa T. Seale

Democratic, Working Families

Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner

The gist

Proposes expanding rural telehealth and school-based care.
Pledges more primary, pediatric and mental health services.
Pledges fair and reliable funding for small schools.
Supports expanding high-speed broadband in rural areas.

More about Melissa

View sources (1)

Proposes expanding rural telehealth and school-based care.
Melissa Seale for State Senate
Campaign website · sealeforsenate.com
“Support telehealth and school based care to reach rural communities and families who are often left out of the system.”
Pledges more primary, pediatric and mental health services.
Melissa Seale for State Senate
Campaign website · sealeforsenate.com
“Expand access to primary, pediatric, and mental health services so families can get care without long waits or long drives.”
Pledges fair and reliable funding for small schools.
Melissa Seale for State Senate
Campaign website · sealeforsenate.com
“Fight for fair and reliable funding so every school—large or small—has the resources it needs.”
Supports expanding high-speed broadband in rural areas.
Melissa Seale for State Senate
Campaign website · sealeforsenate.com
“Expand high-speed broadband and modern infrastructure to connect residents, schools, and businesses.”

Daniel G. Stec

Republican, ConservativeIncumbent

State Senator

The gist

Supports full repeal of bail reform and the HALT Act.In office
Supports better rural broadband and cell service.In office
Voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).In office
Voted against the 2026 redistricting constitutional amendment.In office
Voted against the packaging reduction and recycling act (2025).In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Daniel

View sources (4)

Supports full repeal of bail reform and the HALT Act.
About Daniel G. Stec (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“calling for a full repeal of bail reform and working with our corrections officers to advocate for a repeal of the HALT Act”
Supports better rural broadband and cell service.
About Daniel G. Stec (senator biography)
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“fighting for better broadband and cell service”
Voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025).
S138 (2025-26), Medical Aid in Dying Act: bill page and roll calls
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Relates to the medical aid in dying act”
Voted against the 2026 redistricting constitutional amendment.
S10637A (2025-26), constitutional amendment on the Independent Redistricting Commission: bill page and roll call
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Updates provisions relating to the independent redistricting commission”
Voted against the packaging reduction and recycling act (2025).
S1464A (2025-26), Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act: bill page and roll calls
Government record · New York State Senate · nysenate.gov
“Enacts the "packaging reduction and recycling infrastructure act"”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.