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Christopher S. FriendCONConservative State Assembly Member, District 124
51
Years of Age
18
Years of Experience
NYResidence (state)

Christopher S. "Chris" Friend (born December 21, 1972) is an American chemist and politician who represents the 124th Assembly District of the New York State Assembly. He is a Republican and represents parts of Broome and Chemung Counties, and all of Tioga County. Friend is known to submit less bills than other Members of the Assembly. As of March 2020, Friend has sponsored 47 bills. This compares to neighboring assemblyman Phil Palmesano sponsoring 137 bills in the same time. A native of Big Flats and a 1991 graduate of Horseheads High School, he completed a B.S. in chemistry at the University of New Hampshire before earning Master's and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He was named a National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow and has published more than 20 scientific papers and symposia. In 2006, he was elected to the Chemung County Legislature. In 2010, he won election to the State Assembly after winning Republican and Conservative party primaries against Chemung Town Supervisor George Richter, the endorsed candidate, who later endorsed Friend. The seat had become vacant after former Assemblyman Tom O'Mara ran successfully for the New York State Senate.On June 3, 2020 Friend, along with David DiPietro, were the only two assemblymen to voted against the Digital Fair Repair Act.Friend resides in Big Flats with his wife Renée and their four children: Brianna, Joshua, Ashley, and Elijah.

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0 / 4
Education6 - 6 of 4
University of New Hampshire
BS Chemistry
Education
Former Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Fellow
State University of New York at Buffalo
MA Chemistry
State University of New York at Buffalo
PhD Chemistry
Past Positions1 - 2 of 2
Assembly Member
New York State Assembly
2010 - Current
Legislator
Chemung County Legislature
2006 - 2010
Other Experience1 - 11 of 11
Assistant Coach
River Rats Swim Team
Board Member
Big Flats Community Days
Committee Member
Chemung County Nursing Facility
Member
National Rifle Association
Member
Big Flats Lions Club
Member
Board of Directors, Steuben County Young Republicans
Member
Chemung County Republican Committee
Former Member
Housing Committee, New York State Assembly
Former Member
Aging Committee, New York State Assembly
Former Member
Transportation Committee, New York State Assembly
Former Member
Children and Families Committee, New York State Assembly