Paul Kirby reports for the Daily Freeman that Democrat Didi Barrett is running for her sixth term in the New York Assembly this November 3 against Republican Dean Michael in the 106th Assembly District that covers much of Columbia County and Dutchess County. Michael is a small business owner from the town of Clinton, where he has served as a Town Board member for nearly 13 years. He says one of the main reasons he decided to run was he disagreed with the legislature’s vote to eliminate religious beliefs as a reason to not have children get vaccines. “With the removal of this exemption, a parent's right to choose based on their religious beliefs has been taken away,” Michael said on his campaign website. “In addition, children who may have medical reasons that put them more at risk for a vaccine-related injury have been denied medical exemptions under the emergency regulations issued by the NYS Department of Health in 2019." The Federal government is likely to mandate a vaccine for COVID-19 next year. Michael says he will vote to lower taxes, even with the state facing at least a $13.3 billion deficit. Michael also opposes the decision to release prisoners accused of but not convicted of minor crimes. Barrett, on the other hand, favors the state Health Act, a proposal for improved health care for New Yorkers. Barrett claims to have helped stop the proposal to allow large barges to anchor in the Hudson River, “effectively thwarting a plan that would convert the iconic river into a fossil fuel highway,” she says. But since first being elected in 2012, Barrett has spoken more about tick-borne diseases than any other issue. Read more about both candidates positions on the issues in the Daily Freeman.