About Jacob Ashby
Jake Ashby was elected to the New York State Senate on November 8, 2022. The 43rd District includes all of Rensselaer County and parts of Washington and Albany Counties.
As the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, Senator Ashby has voted to expand counseling, job training and immigration services for veterans and their families. His proposals to spark housing development, crack down on retail crime, regulate AI and address our healthcare workforce shortage have garnered bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature. He’s delivered record state aid for local infrastructure, including road and bridge repair and clean water funding.
Senator Ashby served in the State Assembly from 2018-2022. His statewide forums and coalition building in the legislature were instrumental in elevating the Division of Veterans’ Services to a full-fledged, cabinet level state agency. He helped pass legislation to make occupational and speech therapy more accessible. After he authored a bill protecting New Yorkers from carcinogenic contaminants in drinking water, state officials adopted his more stringent safety standards.
A former Army Reserves Captain, Senator Ashby completed combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and deployed in support of a humanitarian mission in Africa. Jake worked as an occupational therapist for twenty years. He was a rehabilitation director and operated his own community-based practice. Additionally, he taught healthcare at Maria College.
Jake previously served as a Rensselaer County legislator. He earned his MBA in Healthcare Management from Union Graduate College in Schenectady, NY, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Keuka College, and an Associate in Arts from Hudson Valley Community College.
Jake is a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. He is the past commander of VFW Post 7337 and is a member of the Castleton Fish and Game Club.
Jake resides in Castleton with his wife, Kristy, and their two children.
State senators serve in their state's upper legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district, confirming gubernatorial appointments, and shaping the state budget. State senators typically serve longer terms than state representatives and represent larger districts. State legislation covers education, healthcare, infrastructure, criminal justice, and taxation.