Scott Bendett

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Scott Bendett
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 107th district
Assumed office
January 2, 2023
Preceded byJake Ashby
Rensselaer County Legislature
In office
2017–2023
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Conservative
ChildrenSamuel Bendett[1]
Residence(s)Averill Park, Sand Lake, New York[1]
Alma materUniversity at Albany, SUNY[1]
OccupationBusinessman
Websitenyassembly.gov/mem/Scott-Bendett

Scott Bendett is an American politician from New York who has represented the New York State Assembly's 107th district consisting of most of Rensselaer County and portions of Washington and Columbia counties as a Conservative Republican since 2023.[2]

Biography[edit]

Bendett attended Niskayuna High School and the University at Albany and lives in Averill Park, New York.[1]

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Bendett was the founder and owner of the Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe in Sand Lake, founding the business in 1998 as a small kiosk and seeing success as an online marketplace. He is also the CEO of the Bendett Investment Group, a real estate development firm.[3][1]

Political career[edit]

Bendett began his political career being elected to the Rensselaer County Legislature in 2017.

Bendett then ran unopposed to the 107th district which saw its prior assemblyman, Jake Ashby (R) get redistricted to the 43rd District. Due to the Democrats not running a candidate, Bendett won with 97.5% of the vote after also securing the Conservative nomination.[1] Bendett would be sworn in on January 2, 2023, at the Rensselaer County Courthouse.[4][5]

Bendett has supported increasing the tax credit that emergency medical services volunteers receive in an effort to increase their numbers and retention.[6] Bendett has also co-sponsored the Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Bill which would see the legalization of possession of psilocybin, ibogaine, and DMT in the state of New York.[7] Bendett has supported the expansion of vocational education, including vocational classes in public high-schools.[8] Bendett joined the calls for resignation of Jason Schofield, the former Rensselaer County Republican elections board commissioner who plead guilty to federal charges of fraudulently obtaining and filing absentee ballots.[9]

Personal life[edit]

Scott has a son who is an Eagle Scout, Samuel Bendett.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Gwizdala, Mike. "Assemblyman-Elect Scott Bendett hopes to bring fresh perspective to Albany". The Record. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Scott Bendett". New York State Assembly. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  3. ^ Bendett, Scott. "Biography". New York State Assembly. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  4. ^ "SNAPSHOT: Assemblyman Scott Bendett sworn in as next representative for 107th District". The Saratogian. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Tedisco, Walsh, Breslin, Woerner, Ashby among winners in state Legislature races". The Record. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  6. ^ Aaron, Kalani. "Rensselaer County looking to help sweeten the pot on tax exceptions for EMS workers". WRGB. CBS. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  7. ^ Daly, Noah. "A Psilocybin Therapy Bill is Making Headway in New York". lucid.news. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  8. ^ "SNAPSHOT: Questar III BOCES Career and Technical Education students host Assemblyman Bendett". The Saratogian. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. ^ Eschen, Tom. "Rensselaer County elections commissioner resigns, changing plea to guilty". WRGB. CBS. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly, 107th District
2023–
Succeeded by
Incumbent