News

Fiala Reelected Broome Democratic Party Chair, Endorses Hochul

By Jillian Forstadt

Published October 12, 2021 at 11:18 AM EDT

BINGHAMTON, NY (WSKG)—The Broome County Democratic Committee elected former party chair Barbara Fiala to a second stint as the committee's leader.

Former New York State Senate Democratic candidate Barbara Fiala at a 2015 debate broadcast by WSKG. The event was organized by the League of Women Voters of Broome and Tioga Counties and was held in front of a studio audience. (WSKG Public Media) — Former New York State Senate Democratic candidate Barbara Fiala at a 2015 debate broadcast by WSKG. (WSKG Public Media)

Fiala previously served as party chair in 1996. According to a press release sent Tuesday, members of the Broome County Democratic Committee unanimously voted to re-elect Fiala on Sept. 30.

Fiala campaigned for a seat in the state legislature in 2015, after then-Republican Senator Tom Libous vacated the 52nd Senate District upon a felony conviction for lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

Fiala lost the special election to Sen. Fred Akshar (R-52).

Fiala was elected Broome County Executive in 2004 and 2008. She left the office in 2011 after Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed her as the state’s Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. She retired from that position in 2014.

In her first week as the Broome Democrats' second-term party chair, Fiala endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection in 2022.

Fiala also serves as president of the Crime Victims Assistance Center’s board.