Glenn Blain reports in The New York Daily News that there will be a special election April 24 in Greene County, Rennselaer County, parts of Columbia County and elsewhere in New York to fill 11 vacant seats in the state Legislature. Locally, Pete Lopez resigned from his District 102 seat in September to become director of federal Environmental Protection Agency Region 2. Steve McLaughlin represented Assembly District 107 in parts of Columbia County and all of Rensselaer County until he was elected Rensselaer County Executive in November and and started his job in January, so the elections will fill those seats. But the seats will be empty for votes in the next state budget, which is due by March 31, and for much of the current legislative season. Gov. Andrew Cuomo was criticized for failing to name the special election date after Jan. 1, when law first allowed. The law also mandates 70 days from calling the election until the vote. Depending on the outcome of the elections, the two State Senate races could flip control of the chamber from Republicans to Democrats. Currently, Democrats outnumber Republicans in the senate, but several Democrats vote with the GOP, giving them majority control. Republican Kandi Terry, a former Senate staffer from East Greenbush who now works as regulatory and government affairs manager for Just Energy, has earlier said that she is exploring a run to fill the seat formerly held by McLaughlin. Rensselaer County Legislator Jake Ashby of Castleton and Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello both said they have been approached about running. Among Democrats, Rensselaer County Legislator Cynthia Doran of Troy said people have asked her about a bid, but she has not made a decision. Similarly, Michael Hickey, the Hoosick Falls resident who raised the alarm about water contamination in the village, said he is thinking about it, but has not made a decision. Likewise, former Troy City Council President Rodney Wiltshire said he also has thought about running. Among Republicans in the 102nd, the seven-county district that includes parts or all of Schoharie, Albany, Columbia, and Greene counties, Town of Schoharie Supervisor and county GOP Chairman Chris Tague and former Ulster County Legislature candidate Santos Lopez are vying for the nomination. Glenn Blain reports in The New York Daily News