ONEONTA – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) has filed more than 5,500 signatures on nominating petitions for re-election as state senator representing the 51st senatorial district.

Seward filed 4,522 signatures for the Republican party nomination alone; 712 for the Independence party nod and 326 for the Conservative party designation.

“I am truly energized by the outpouring of support I have received for my candidacy,” said Seward. “As I meet with people from across the seven county district I am excited to hear the astounding level of support- it is the enthusiastic encouragement from the constituents that keeps me going.

“New York, especially the upstate region, is faced with a great number of challenges and the broken system in Albany is not offering any suitable solutions. Those who have been in power the past two years have failed to respond to the real world problems our working families, small business owners and senior citizens face every day. I am deeply disturbed by the lack of urgency and understanding  constantly displayed by too many state leaders.