Announcing her run for the Democratic nomination for the 103rd Assembly District seat, challenger Gabrielle “Gabi” Madden blasted her opponent, incumbent Sarahana Shrestha as an ineffective lawmaker unable to deliver on legislation in Albany, and basic services and funding for her constituents back home.

Shrestha, meanwhile, called Madden’s candidacy an effort by the Democratic “Old Boys Club” to take back the seat two years after her stunning upset victory over longtime incumbent Democrat Kevin Cahill.

Madden announced her challenge on Thursday at Savona’s Trattoria and Bar — a popular Kingston dining establishment owned by her family. An estimated 80 people were in attendance. The large Savona clan runs dining establishments in Kingston, Red Hook, Poughkeepsie and Albany. Madden began her career in politics working in Cahill’s constituent services department, serving as a liaison between area residents and state government. Madden has also served as deputy chief of staff to state Sen. James Skoufis who, along with Kingston Mayor Steve Noble, attended the campaign kickoff event and endorsed her candidacy.

“Throughout the past year, I’ve noticed a vacancy in representation. Here in the district, there wasn’t a district office, there were no constituent services,” said Madden, speaking with Kingston Wire of her decision to enter the primary. “And being that my connection with elected office and government operations really started in constituent services, I recognize the necessity of providing that and serving as a lifeline for your community.”

Madden also accused Shrestha, who is aligned with the ultra-progressive Democratic Socialists of America, of failing to deliver in Albany. Madden claimed that Shrestha, who moved to Esopus from Brooklyn in 2019, had failed to reach out to local elected officials, school superintendents and other stakeholders during Albany’s crucial budget season when lawmakers allocate billions of dollars for projects and programs. The lack of contact with local government, Madden said, left Shrestha without a clear understanding of the specific needs of her constituents and the communities she represents. Madden said that last year Shrestha brought just $250,000 in state grant funds back to the district, a figure she characterized as a paltry amount.

“We have a high standard here for our representatives; they need to be performing at 120 percent plus,” said Madden. “All of us work our keisters off in our jobs, we take care of our homes, our families, our aging parents, etc., yet we expect our representatives to not do the same? That’s not all right to me.”

Madden added that Shrestha “doesn’t really get along” with fellow Democrats, impeding her ability move legislation and perform other functions of the office. Madden said that during last year’s budget season Shrestha had been prime sponsor — effectively the legislative point person — on just a dozen bills, including several that did not relate directly to her district.

“We’re lucky enough that we have Democrats elected from our district up in Albany so that we get the advantage when it comes to advancing legislation and getting funding through the budget,” said Madden. “But I don’t see any delivery on those things [from Shrestha].”

Shrestha, who worked as climate activist prior to her election, ran as an outsider willing to take on an entrenched Democratic old guard under the thumb of corporations and lobbyists. Her 2022 defeat of Cahill, who first won election to the Assembly in 1992 stunned observers and helped announce the emergence of the Democratic Socialists of America as a force in New York politics. In a statement Friday, Shrestha said that Madden’s candidacy amounted to a counterattack by establishment forces. Shrestha touted 2023’s Build Renewables Act which she called “the biggest Green New Deal program in the nation’s history.” Shrestha also pointed to new rules to bring more transparency to Limited Liability Corporations and said she would work to eliminate co-pays for insulin during the 2024 budget process.

“We won't let the Old Boys Club take us back to settling for less,” said Shrestha in a statement to Kingston Wire. “There may be a new candidate, but it’s the same club: handing the reins to corporate lobbyists and CEOs and telling New Yorkers to ask for less. I’m confident the 103rd will once again reject that tired agenda.”