SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- A new hat is thrown into the 49th District Senate race. Madelyn Thorne announced her candidacy on Sunday at Schenectady's Proctors Theater. She was joined by Congressman Paul Tonko and Mayor Gary McCarthy among other elected officials.

Thorne is the Director of Pastoral Care at the Glendale Nursing Home, and an avid volunteer for programs focused on the elderly and disabled. She said while working at Glendale, she sees people who deal with many medical, financial and emotional challenges, and feels that people need someone in government who understands their problems and will work to find solutions.

Thorne believes there will be no meaningful change in upstate New York if the same people are reelected.

"Why am I running for the New York State Senate? Simply put, because we need fresh ideas, we need new connections. We have a right to a government that represents all of the people. We can no longer tolerate diversity and exclusiveness, now is the time for change, now is the time to bring integrity, honesty, transparency and hard work to Albany. Now is the time for leadership," said Thorne.

She will be challenging long-time Senate Republican Hugh Farley for the new 49th Senate District which includes eastern Schenectady County, western Saratoga County, Hamilton County, Fulton County and northern Herkimer County.