Cassie Robbins-Forbus is chair of the Lewis County Democratic Committee and a grants writer at Samaritan Medical Center. She previously taught Spanish at Lowville Academy and worked as a training coordinator at Kraft Heinz.
Cassie Robbins-Forbus is running for the 49th State Senate District. Her campaign describes her as a Lewis County native who grew up in the region and later returned, and news reports list her home as Lowville. According to her campaign page, she is a former teacher and nonprofit leader who now works as a healthcare grant writer, helps with a small family business, and volunteers in the community. She also chairs the Lewis County Democratic Committee. She has not held or sought public office before. Her campaign says she is running because she believes rural communities need a stronger voice in Albany, and when she announced in February 2026 she pledged to be open and transparent and to listen to residents across the district.
Mark Walczyk has been the state senator for the 49th District since 2023. He previously represented the 116th Assembly District and served on the Watertown City Council. He is a major in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Mark Walczyk has represented the 49th State Senate District since January 2023. He graduated from the University at Albany and joined the staff of State Senator Patty Ritchie in 2011. He won a seat on the Watertown City Council in 2015 and was elected to the State Assembly's 116th District in 2018. In the Senate he is ranking member on the Elections and Cities 2 committees and the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. He has served as an engineer officer in the U.S. Army Reserve since 2012, holds the rank of major, and was deployed to the Middle East in 2024. He lives in Sackets Harbor with his wife, Jessica, and their three children. His campaign says he will focus on lowering energy costs, opposing state mandates in favor of local decision-making, and defending constitutional rights.
Listed alphabetically by last name with every party line they appear on. Video statements are provided by the campaigns, unedited; every candidate was invited.
Where this race is
State Senate District 49
Includes all or part of: Adams, Alexandria, Antwerp, Brownville, Cape Vincent, Champion, Clare, Clayton, Croghan, De Kalb, De Peyster, Denmark, Diana, Edwards, Ellisburg, Fine, Fowler, Gouverneur, Greig, Hammond, Harrisburg, Henderson, Hermon, Hounsfield, Le Ray, Lewis, Leyden, Lorraine, Lowville, Lyme, Lyonsdale, Macomb, Martinsburg, Montague, Morristown, New Bremen, City of Ogdensburg, Orleans, Osceola, Oswegatchie, Pamelia, Philadelphia, Pinckney, Pitcairn, Rodman, Rossie, Russell, Rutland, Theresa, Turin, City of Watertown, Watertown, Watson, West Turin, Wilna, Worth (in the three counties; the district extends beyond them).
Some towns are split between districts. Tap any town on the map to open its race. Your exact ballot: type your address on the election page, or check voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.
Where to vote
Tue, Nov 3 · 6 AM – 9 PM
St. Lawrence County early voting, Oct 24 – Nov 1
Potsdam Central School Annex (new location), 68 Lawrence Ave., Potsdam, NYOct. 24 - Nov. 1, 2026: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except Mon. Oct. 26 and Wed. Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Jefferson County Office Building, 175 Arsenal Street, Watertown, NY 13601 (free parking in county lot behind building, enter from Sherman Street)Sat Oct 24 9am-5pm; Sun Oct 25 9am-5pm; Mon Oct 26 12pm-8pm; Tue Oct 27 9am-5pm; Wed Oct 28 12pm-8pm; Thu Oct 29 9am-5pm; Fri Oct 30 9am-5pm; Sat Oct 31 9am-5pm; Sun Nov 1 9am-5pm
Depauville Fire Hall, 15231 School Street, Depauville, NY 13632Same schedule as above: Oct 24-Nov 1; 9am-5pm except Mon Oct 26 and Wed Oct 28, 12pm-8pm
Lewis County Board of Elections, 7513 East State Street, Lowville, NY 13367Sat Oct 24 9am-5pm; Sun Oct 25 9am-5pm; Mon Oct 26 9am-5pm; Tue Oct 27 12pm-8pm; Wed Oct 28 9am-5pm; Thu Oct 29 12pm-8pm; Fri Oct 30 9am-5pm; Sat Oct 31 9am-5pm; Sun Nov 1 9am-5pm
