Running on a platform of better representation for students in the New York State Legislature, a UB student wants the chance to become the youngest New York state senator in history, if she is victorious in the Nov. 5 election.
Marla Greenberg, a 21-year-old political science major, is running for senator of District 61, which encompasses the Town of Amherst, the Town of Tonawanda and Genesee County.
Greenberg said one of her biggest concerns is students' rights.
She condemned the state legislature's failure to adopt a budget on time last year and the legislature's eventual approval of a bare-bones budget that cut funding in numerous areas, including universities.
"It was so ridiculous how much had been cut from the budget," Greenberg said. "It affected every aspect of New York state, but especially education - primary, secondary and higher education."
Her conservative Republican opponent, Mary Lou Rath, has held the position for eight years and is running for another two-year term.
Greenberg said she knows her age puts her at a disadvantage, but she meets all the requirements to be a candidate and has taken great interest in politics as an undergraduate.
"I don't have as much political experience as some other democrats, but I have a lot of political experience for someone my age," she said.
Greenberg has been active in the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) at UB, particularly in fighting for the neighbor notification bill, which would require pesticide companies to notify residents in an area at least 48 hours in advance before treatment.
Greenberg currently serves on the Amherst Democratic Committee, where she helps promote the campaigns of higher-level Democrats.
Ironically, her opportunity for candidacy came while she was busy promoting fellow Democrat Damon Serota's campaign for the same state senate seat for which she is now running.
When Serota pulled out of the race, Dennis Ward of the law firm Ward, Brenon and DiVita - the firm she interned at last summer - convinced Greenberg to take a shot at the position.
"I was getting (Serota's) petition signed, and the party actually approached me," said Greenberg. "No one else had the time to put in."
Chris Conroy, a political science major and president of the College Democrats, said Greenberg's campaign is important because no other Democrat has stepped up to challenge Rath.
If she is successful in the election, only four more Democrats would need to win Republican-held seats to shift control of the Senate.
"It is important that no one goes unopposed," Conroy said.
According to Greenberg, her platform coincides with much of the Democratic majority.
Although Gov. George Pataki said he has not raised SUNY tuition in years, he has made it more difficult for students to afford college education by restricting financial assistance programs, Greenberg said.
"Governor Pataki has run on the statement that he hasn't raised tuition in five or six years, but he has - along with the legislature - cut Tuition Assistance Programs significantly," she said.
According to Greenberg, TAP, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) are some of the programs feeling the impact of a tightened budget.
"It actually affects students more, because the people who can't afford tuition without these programs can't attend school," she said.
Greenberg said pro-student reforms are necessary within the Senate.
"I would work to ensure not only that the budget was passed on time, but also that Tuition Assistance Programs were restored," she said. "I will fight to the death so tuition doesn't go up."
Greenberg said that she recognizes her chances of winning are slim but chooses to fight nonetheless.
"It's more of a grassroots campaign," she said. "I don't have a lot of money, but I don't mind. It's been an interesting experience the whole way."
If Greenberg wins the election, she will have to postpone going to law school until her term is complete. The position of state senator is full-time and includes a great deal of travel between Albany and the senator's home district.
James Campbell, a political science professor, said it is unusual for a student to run for public office, and that since she is an underdog, she will need students to vote for her.
"She's facing an incumbent; that's always an uphill battle," said Campbell. "Her election has to depend on a significant turnout of students."
Greenberg's campaign manager, Jason Litwak, a senior political science major, said she is needed within the legislature to better represent students, because students constitute a large part of the Western New York population.
"She can bring issues important to students to the Senate," he said, "where they are lacking right now."
Litwak said he wants Greenberg's campaigning to reach as many student voters as possible before the election so they can understand the potential impact she can have within the university system.
"Hopefully the student body will mobilize to try to get one of our own in the state Senate," he said.
Greenberg is holding a fundraiser for her campaign Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Amherst Democratic headquarters in the Sheridan/Vix Plaza, on the corner of Sheridan Drive and Sweet Home Road. The student price of $10 will include beer and pizza. Greenberg will be address those in attendance.
