Known for his leadership skills and introduction of innovative legislation, Martin Reid was elected in 2009 to a fourth full term in the Rensselaer County Legislature. Reid has been a member of a legislative majority that has worked to protect and improve the quality of life in the county.

Reid has become known to many residents of the Capital Region for his appearances as a commentator on Capital News 9. Reid has provided news analysis and insight on recent State of the State addresses, election returns, presentation of the state budget and the funeral of former President Ronald Reagan.

Reid gained valuable public service experience working as an aide in the offices of John Faso when Faso served in the State Assembly. Reid also worked as an aide in the Washington D.C. offices of Senator Robert Dole.

First elected to the Legislature in 1995 as a representative of the towns of Schodack, Sand Lake and Nassau, Reid served as chairman of the Legislature’s Social Services Committee. As chairman, Reid has worked to improve efforts to detect fraud and waste in the Medicaid system, to ensure services for seniors and children are administered efficiently and oversee operation of the county’s Van Rensselaer Manor, one of the finest senior care facilities in the state.

Reid also led calls for an investigation into over-billing of the county by prescription drug companies. The effort resulted in a lawsuit by the county to recover taxpayer funds paid in overcharges.

Reid has worked to repair and maintain county roads and his efforts led to safety improvements at the intersection of State Routes 4 and 43 in North Greenbush, one of the busiest intersections in the Capital Region. Reid also improved an intersection on State Route 150 in Sand Lake and has improved another intersection on the same state highway in North Greenbush.

Reid has focused on protection of the environment and natural resources. He has joined a coalition of community leaders and elected officials to advocate for the clean-up of Nassau Lake from decades of toxic contamination, with the efforts resulting in construction of a new dam to protect the lake and further remediation efforts. As a legislator, Reid supported a brownfields project to return the former Northeast Truck Stop in Schodack to active use and the tax rolls. He is working to restore the former Fort Orange Paper Co. in Castleton to active use.

“Martin is one of our most effective legislators and he has been great serving in a leadership role in the County Legislature. I relied on Martin to help keep track of how state and federal legislation can affect the county and the region as a whole,” said former Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

A lifelong resident of Sand Lake and the Capital Region, Reid said he learned valuable lessons while accompanying his father, the late Dr. John Reid, on many house calls in the community. His mother, Kitty, is active with the Alzheimer’s Support Group in Rensselaer County.

“Both my parents taught me the importance of listening and being ready to serve your neighbors when needed. I have tried to follow those lessons during my public service in the Legislature,” said Reid.

Reid recently worked as Director of Community Relations for the State University of New York Central Administration offices and currently works as the Deputy Director for Government Relations at the New York State School Boards Association.

Reid and his wife Caitlin are the parents of two children Chad and Grace. Reid was a board member of Cornell Cooperative Extension for over ten years.