Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media attorney Don Boyajian and New Lebanon Town Clerk Tistrya Houghtling have submitted nominating petitions to qualify for the Democratic 107th Assembly District primary in September. Houghtling and Boyajian, of Cambridge, Washington County, are competing for the line in the November general election, but both are expected to challenge Republican Assemblymember Jake Ashby, in November. Ashby was elected in the April special election to fill the unexpired terms of fellow Republican Steve McLaughlin. Houghtling was endorsed by the Columbia County Democratic Committee. She filed 1,600 Democratic signatures July 11. She also filed 86 Working Families Party signatures and four Women’s Equality Party signatures, to qualify for those party lines in November. Boyajian, an environmental lawyer with the Albany firm, Dreyer Boyajian LLP, filed petitions bearing the signatures of approximately 1,100 Democrats, in advance of the July 12 deadline, as well. Houghtling says she is the blue-collar candidate in the race and therefore, best qualified to represent the district, which encompasses parts of Columbia and Washington counties and most of Rensselaer County. “I am working class, with my husband and I living from paycheck to paycheck with three children,” Houghtling said. “We are not struggling, but a lot of families in the district are struggling. I won’t be the people’s voice in Albany; I will bring their voices with me.” Boyajian ended a run for the 21st Congressional District seat against Republican incumbent Elise Stefanik in May to pursue the 107th Assembly seat this year. Boyajian said he knocks on doors for at least five hours a day, telling people he will fight for clean water in every town and fight against corruption in Albany. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.