Dennis Yusko in the Albany Times-Union reports that state Sen. Kathleen Marchione (R-Halfmoon) showed up to debate Brian Howard (D-Troy) after backing out of a scheduled debate in Saratoga County Oct. 14, and brought a large group of supporters Oct. 28 to the Brunswick Community Center in Troy. Organized by the League of Women Voters of Rensselaer County, the forum was for candidates to the state's 43rd Senate District, which includes parts of Columbia County. The Times-Union reports Marchione carried $122,263 in campaign contributions into 2014, and raised $273,275 in 2014 and spent $157,089, leaving her with $238,450. The Howard campaign raised $30,589 and spent $19,927 in 2014, with $10,662 on hand, according to the Board of Elections. Howard is an educator with roots in Chatham and time as superintendent of Queensbury, Troy and Berlin schools. "I am not a career politician," Howard said. "I am a career educator." Marchione, before becoming a senator in 2012, was Halfmoon town clerk and supervisor and Saratoga County clerk. "I believe when you serve as a public servant, you need to make things better," Marchione said. Read the full story in the Times-Union.